Large differences in education and training of radiographers in Europe and Central Asia: Results from an IAEA coordinated study

S Foley,G Paulo,J Vassileva

doi:10.1016/j.radi.2021.07.016

Abstract

IntroductionEducation and training of radiographers is known to be diverse between countries and regions. Under an IAEA project, this work collected data on radiographer education for the Europe and Central Asia region with a particular focus on radiation protection gaps and potential actions. MethodsFollowing piloting, an electronic questionnaire was distributed to all national counterparts for the IAEA Technial Coopearation (TC) Europe region (n = 33 countries) and nominated national representatives. Contacts were additionally invited to a virtual workshop to discuss and rank common problems in education and training of radiographers and to propose potential solutions. ResultsResponses were received from 31 countries, including 14 from the European Union. Just over half of countries reported radiographer education being in higher education with 71% having program durations more than 3 years (range: 1 month-4 years). Programs included a spectrum of both clinical training and radiation protection hours with ten-fold variations noted across the region. Inclusion of core radiation protection topics within curricula varied similarly, as did radiographers’ clinical involvement in both justification and optimisation between countries. Workshop participants identified five common training problems, namely education availability, lack of standardisation, radiation protection course quality, teamwork problems and lack of equipment. ConclusionRadiographer education in the IAEA Europe region is heterogeneous with substantial differences in duration and quality of training programs between countries, which likely impact on quality of patient care delivered. Common problems have been identified and potential solutions proposed to focus quality improvement initiatives. Implications for practiceRadiographer education and training is diverse throughout the IAEA TC Europe region, with likely impacts on radiation protection practices applied. Clinical involvement of radiographers in justification and optimisation differs, potentially limiting adherence to radiation protection principles.

Highlights

Education and training of radiographers is known to be diverse between countries and regions
This paper describes the project results using both responses to an electronic questionnaire and following a virtual workshop, where national representatives discussed common problems in education and potential solutions
A total of 108 responses were received to the electronic survey from 31 countries (Table 1) with Czech Republic and Turkmenistan being the only countries from the IAEA Technial Coopearation (TC) Europe region who did not provide a response

Summary

Introduction

Education and training of radiographers is known to be diverse between countries and regions. Medical use of ionising radiation continues to grow as noninvasive methods of imaging the body for both diagnosis and therapy are increasingly fundamental to medical practice.1e4 Radiation protection is critical to the safe practice of medical exposures, which aims to limit any potential detriment from the use of radiation while maximising the benefit that imaging provides Core to this is education and training so that users of radiation can practically implement the key principles of justification and optimisation for both patients and workers alike.[5] While requirements for education and training in the field are included in international standards[6,7] and in European Directive,[8] it is left to Member States to each decide on the specific scope of such programs.

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Results

Conclusion