Al-Dahery S, McGee A, Rainford L. A Comparison of MRI Radiographers' Knowledge in Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Ireland in Relation to Image Quality Management, for Abdomen and Pelvic MRI Examinations.
J Med Imaging Radiat Sci 2019;
50:280-288. [PMID:
31176436 DOI:
10.1016/j.jmir.2019.01.002]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2018] [Revised: 12/21/2018] [Accepted: 01/09/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE
The purpose of this article was to qualitatively compare current MRI radiographers' knowledge from Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Ireland in relation to MR image quality for abdominal and pelvic MRI examinations.
METHODS AND MATERIALS
Semistructured interviews were designed to investigate the professional role of radiographers towards image quality management, personal development in MRI, and training in relation to image quality improvement. Public, private, military, and academic hospitals in the Western region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia participated, as did a range of public and private Irish centres. Clinical specialist radiographers (CSRs)/supervisors, and MR radiographers working in MR completed the interviews. These were recorded, coded, and transcribed.
RESULTS
Sixty-one MR radiographers and CSRs/supervisors within 11 MRI departments in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and 11 MRI departments in the Republic of Ireland participated in this study. Three themes resulted by using a qualitative data analysis program called NVivo: (1) health care professional and the cultural attitudes with regards to the scope of professional roles, (2) factors affecting image quality, and (3) departmental policy. Participants' knowledge of image quality varied and challenges to achieving optimal quality levels were noted. Differences in clinical practice between countries were identified, as was the impact of clinical experience and levels of education.
CONCLUSION
Differences in attitude and clinical practice between Saudi and Irish radiographers and CSRs/supervisors working in MRI departments were identified. There is a need for further training and subsequent assessment of professional skills, including developing postgraduate opportunities, particularly for Saudi radiographers, to support radiographers in the routine management of MR image quality.
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