Radiographer role extension in Oman - Current practice and future opportunities

INTRODUCTION

Radiographers in Oman are believed to be engaged with varying levels of role extension however the nature and extent of this currently unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate role extension for radiographers in Oman, and to evaluate radiographers and the radiologists' opinions and attitudes toward role extension.

METHODS

A cross sectional study of radiographers and radiologists at 13 major hospitals in Oman was used. A total of 189 radiographers and 77 radiologists were invited to complete a questionnaire seeking information on current and possible future role extension activities.

RESULTS

The overall response rate was 80.4% for radiographers and 63.6% for radiologists. Approximately half (53.3%) of the radiographer respondents reported they carry out examinations traditionally performed by radiologists (i.e. role extension); this was primarily in gastrointestinal and barium enema studies. Fewer (21%) reported being involved in image interpretation, most commonly in accident and emergency examinations. Forty percent of radiographers reported involvement in intravenous injections, most commonly for CT and intravenous urography procedures. Both radiographers and radiologists supported the involvement of radiographers in a range of examination types however responses vary within and between hospitals.

CONCLUSION

This study concluded that radiography role extension activities are widely implemented at hospitals in Oman and that radiographers have sufficient skills and education for participating in these activities.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

The involvement of radiographers in role extension activities is believed to be cost and time effective, improve teamwork and has potential for significant service delivery benefits.

An analysis of advanced and specialist posts in diagnostic radiography: Do job descriptions describe advanced practice?

INTRODUCTION

Underpinned by a multi professional advanced clinical practice (ACP) framework, role consistency in practice level and education has been advocated across allied health professions. However little research has evaluated ACP expectations in radiography. This study identified the capability requirements of advanced and specialist diagnostic radiographers and mapped these to home country advanced practice frameworks and the Society and College of Radiographers (SCoR) Education and Career Framework.

METHODS

A consecutive sample of UK job advertisements was collected over six months and analysed for role focus, professional and clinical responsibilities, reporting or procedural expectations and knowledge and experience. Qualitative content analysis was used to scrutinise capabilities during role mapping.

RESULTS

A total of 42 job descriptions were analysed across UK Trusts and Health Boards, with 31 roles (73.8%) containing the terms advanced or specialist. Half of the advertised roles expected proficiency in reporting (n = 21; 50%). Responsibilities mapped to the practice outcomes of the SCoR framework in 31 roles (n = 31/42; 73.8%). The English documents (n = 40/42; 95.2%) evaluated against the multi professional framework identified significantly (χ2 = 14.6; p < 0.01) fewer capabilities (n = 13/40; 32.5%). Clinical practice was reflected broadly in textual behavioural descriptors however, leadership, education and research responsibilities were internal and operational in nature.

CONCLUSION

This analysis of diagnostic radiographer job descriptions has demonstrated that many posts advertised as 'advanced' differ from advanced practice roles defined by the multi professional ACP framework, although they meet professional body standards.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Utilisation of diagnostic radiographers as 'true' advanced clinical practitioners remains intermittent. Greater consistency in job descriptions is required to strengthen radiography advanced practice and support radiographer development.

Assistant radiographer practitioners: Creating capacity or challenging professional boundaries?

INTRODUCTION

Over the last 2 decades the assistant radiographer practitioner (ARP) role has been introduced into NHS diagnostic imaging departments as a strategy to expand the workforce and create capacity. This skill mix initiative has not been implemented in a standardised way and there is limited knowledge of the current role scope within general radiography (X-Ray).

METHOD

An electronic survey of ARPs working within UK diagnostic imaging departments was conducted. Both open and closed questions sought information regarding basic demographic data (age category; gender; geographic region), scope of practice (patient groups; anatomical regions; imaging outside of the diagnostic imaging department), limitations placed on practice, supervision and additional roles.

RESULTS

A total of 108 responses, including 13 trainees, were received. Most sites employ three or less ARPs in general radiography (n = 43/66; 65.2%), although 11 sites have five (range 1-15). The majority undertake imaging of both adults and children (n = 85/108; 78.7%), although limitations on age were described. Their scope of practice covers a broad anatomical range and included some non-ambulant patients. The level of supervision varied with some sites empowering ARPs to check the referral prior to examination (n = 25) or images post acquisition (n = 32) (both n = 20/66; χ² = 16.003; 1df; p = 0.000).

CONCLUSION

ARPs are helping to maintain capacity in imaging departments but we suggest there is further scope for expansion. The practice described by the post holders suggests that many are working beyond the scope envisaged by the radiography professional body.