Medical Radiation Technologist Research Articles

An MRT workforce shortage is no laughing matter

The Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists (CAMRT) has collected profession-specific health human resource (HHR) and impact data to understand medical radiation technologist (MRT) workforce models. The cumulation of these efforts provides longstanding HHR trends that can inform medical imaging and radiation therapy departments. The data demonstrates the healthcare system is neglecting workplace safety across Canada and is causing negative physical and psychological impacts on MRTs as a direct result. Vacancy rates have exponentially increased, and in some cases tripled across time within medical imaging and radiation therapy. Over 1485 instances of workplace violence, aggression and/or harassment were directly experienced by MRTs within the six-month period preceding a survey. Other research indicates that healthcare professionals work through injuries based on cultural pressures to hide or minimize their physical and mental well-being, ultimately hiding the true impact HHR shortages have on the individuals working. This article provides call-to-action language and highlights evidence required to support national change for MRTs.

Overview of dental radiation technologists in Taiwan

Background/purposeIn Taiwan, there is no independent licensing system for dental radiation technologists. A licensed medical radiation technologist who engages in dental radiology is the so-called dental radiation technologist. This study explored mainly the profile of dental radiation technologists in Taiwan. Materials and methodsThis study used the methods of documentary analysis, dental radiation manpower survey, and the secondary data analysis to find the profile of dental radiation technologists in Taiwan. ResultsThere were currently 59 dental radiology departments and 101 dental radiation technologists (29 males and 72 females) in 57 hospitals and their branches. Of the 101 dental radiation technologists, 56 worked in the medical centers, 28 in the regional hospitals, and 17 in the district hospitals. More than half of the dental radiation technologists were concentrated in the medical centers (55.45%, 56/101) or the northern region of Taiwan (57.43%, 58/101), especially in the northern medical centers (30.69%, 31/101). ConclusionIn Taiwan, the manpower of dental radiation technologists is insufficient, and dental radiation technologists usually work in the dental departments of the hospitals. A large number of clinic dentists lack dental radiation technologists to assist in dental radiology works and the clinic dentists have to perform the dental radiology works by themselves. Therefore, a dental radiology education system should be established to design innovative dental radiology courses for radiological technology students. This in turn can provide a new practice direction for medical radiation technologists and expand their potential participation in the field of dental radiology.

Process optimization in breast imaging: Exploring advanced roles for medical radiation technologists

IntroductionMedical imaging (MI) is a critical service that underpins the care journey for many who enter the healthcare system. The subspecialty of Breast Imaging (BI) represents a complex and multi-modality MI setting with a well-defined role in the healthcare system. BI holds great potential as a setting to consider opportunities for a medical radiation technologist's (MRT) current role to be modified and leveraged to fulfill novel and advanced roles to optimize patient-centered service. MethodsThis study was conducted in three interrelated BI clinics, all at large urban academic hospitals with a common operational infrastructure. It involved three phases; (i) mapping processes and workflows in BI (ii) identification and characterization of care delivery problems (CDPs) within these process maps, and prioritization of opportunities where task shifting might leverage enhanced knowledge, skills, and judgement of MRTs to optimize care. The PEPPA framework - a systematic planning tool for the development and implementation of advanced practice nursing (APN) roles5 - was used, with the first five of nine steps considered in scope for this pilot project. ResultsTwelve distinct BI processes were identified and mapped as swimlane charts; a single clerical workflow leading up to patient check-in to the BI department, and 11 subsequent clinical processes. Each map included swimlanes for MRTs, radiologists, and clerical staff, as relevant, and included processes ranging from routine mammogram and ultrasound orders to stereotactic-guided core biopsies and rapid diagnostic workflows. Across the maps, 9 CDPs were identified; scheduling, radiologist availability, incorrect orders, and coordination of externally-acquired imaging and consults. The inpatient process map had the most instances of CDP identified, and the radiologist availability CDP was flagged most frequently across processes. Characterization of the root causes of each CDP led to common reflections on team and task factors, including inefficiencies in communication or division of responsibilities, or availability of resources or team members to support workflows.Consultations based on the resultant maps and CDPs led to identification of the following potential advanced roles for MRTs; review and decision-making relating to imaging acquired externally prior to patient appointments, exam ordering and protocoling in defined scenarios, and task-shifting of certain clinical procedures such as breast screening ultrasounds and contrast-enhanced mammography. ConclusionAdvanced practice for MRTs holds great potential to address system inefficiencies in breast imaging, if approached systematically and with the primary objective to optimize care. Future work will consider trial and evaluation of pilot roles that incorporate advanced opportunities identified in this project.

Advancing leadership in medical radiation sciences: Incorporating systematic leadership education in pre-registration curricula

Advancing leadership in medical radiation sciences: Incorporating systematic leadership education in pre-registration curricula

The Behavioural Display of Compassion in Radiation Therapy: Purpose, Meaning and Interpretation

IntroductionProviding high quality patient care is a worldwide standard of proficiency across the radiographic workforce. As compassion and compassionate behaviours are considered synonymous with patient-centred care, the focus of professional practice throughout healthcare should be on a system that places compassion at its heart.Inadequate care and dispassionate practice have been blamed for failings within the National Health Service. United Kingdom healthcare legislation has been criticised for its failure to provide meaning or clarity to practical compassionate care. Consequently, it has hindered the ability of National Health Service Trusts, service delivery managers and Medical Radiation Technologists to interpret and implement policy recommendations regarding compassionate practice at a local level. AimsTo support the implementation of compassionate legislation, the study sought to understand the perspectives of those in receipt and those delivering compassionate practice. The research aimed to develop a context specific definition of compassion and identify commonly recognised compassionate behaviours. This article reports on the display of compassion through the behaviours of Medical Radiation Technologists. Methods/materialsCo-production underpinned the qualitative methodological inquiry and design of the research. Eleven focus groups were conducted, five with Medical Radiation Technologists three with cancer patients and care-givers and three with student Medical Radiation Technologists. On completion of thematic analysis from those groups, three co-production workshops were conducted, integrating the data to ensure the co-produced findings were equally representative of the perspectives of the three participant groups. ResultsAn understanding of compassionate display is illustrated through the construction of a conceptual framework. The findings established observable behaviours which a Medical Radiation Technologist must engage in to undertake compassionate display. Three compassionate behavioural classifications were established through the analysis; ‘embodied connection’, ‘characteristic expression’ and ‘indicative communication’. A Medical Radiation Technologist must engage in all the three core behaviours to gain comprehension of the patient and person. Comprehension enables the Medical Radiation Technologist to establish practices that aim to address the compassionate needs of the patient. Discussion/conclusionAdoption of the behaviours by Medical Radiation Technologists should enhance compassionate care received by patients within clinical practice. The conceptual framework provides both a theoretical and practical understanding of compassionate display, making it a valuable tool for training and assessment.

Pan-Canadian Survey of Medical Radiation Technologist's Views Toward Evidence-Based Practice, Research, Barriers, and Enablers

ObjectivesTo examine the attitudes, perceptions, enablers/barriers, and level of uptake of evidence-based practice (EBP) and research within the medical radiological technologist (MRT) community in Canada. MethodsUsing the Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists' e-mail distribution list, all members were sent an invitation and link to an online electronic survey. The survey included demographics and questions asking participants about their perceptions of EBP, research, and barriers. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics and partial proportional odds models. ResultsFour hundred and forty-four completed surveys were available for analysis. Respondents showed good distribution among professions and geographical location. Eighty-four percent of respondents indicated having a good grasp of the concept of EBP. A majority of the respondents (>70%) in all the professions strongly agreed/agreed that all MRTs should practice in an evidence-based manner. Eighty percent of respondents strongly agreed/agreed that there is a link between EBP and research. There was a statistically significant association between the current level of knowledge to develop a research project and level of academic research education received, research culture in the department, and the presence of barriers. Partial proportional odds model indicates participants were more likely to have a good grasp of EBP and have strongly agreed/agreed that they should practice in an evidence-based manner if they were a radiation therapist, have medium-high current levels of research knowledge, or were a permanent full-time employee. In addition, radiation therapists were at least 4 times more likely to participate in research as a primary or coinvestigator, compared to other MRT professions. Most frequently identified extrinsic barriers to EBP/research included lack of time, heavy workload, lack of leadership support, and workplace attitudes/culture. Extrinsic success factors included access to a mentor, dedicated time, collaboration, and support from management and peers. Intrinsic success factors were as follows: self-motivation, sense of inquiry/curiosity, and satisfaction with creating patient or workplace change based on research. ConclusionsThis pan-Canadian, interprofessional survey highlights the current landscape with respect to perceptions and uptake of EBP and research among MRTs. Results of this study may offer MRTs, employers, educational facilities, and professional bodies insight into strategies that can be undertaken to improve MRT research participation across professions.

209 Pan-Canadian Survey of Medical Radiation Technologist’s Views Towards Evidence-Based Practice, Research, Barriers, and Enablers

209 Pan-Canadian Survey of Medical Radiation Technologist’s Views Towards Evidence-Based Practice, Research, Barriers, and Enablers

The Educational Utility of Blogging for MRI Technologists

IntroductionThe value of a blog as an educational tool is thought to be underestimated by health care professionals. This research aimed to explore the MRI educational utility of blogs, and to determine who was participating in writing those blogs. It was hoped that this research would increase awareness of alternative education formats that would be useful for MRI technologists. MethodsBetween March and April of 2017, an online blog search was performed using MRI-related keywords. Strict exclusion criteria were then applied. Two coders independently used lean coding to analyse selected blog posts and organized the codes into themes. Data were tested for intercoder reliability. ResultsResearchers analysed 39 posts from 9 blogs and identified the following themes: focus on MRI techniques and technologies, knowledge dissemination, sharing of experience, collaborative learning, authorship, and informal writing. Bloggers, self-identified as practitioners or scholars, communicated about research projects and used an informal writing style. Evidence of intentional teaching of MRI-specific content and sharing of professional and personal experiences was found. Communication between authors and readers from most of the MRI professions was observed, with the exception of MRI technologists. ConclusionsThis research found that MRI-related blogs provide a credible and accessible forum for the sharing and discussion of knowledge, experiences, and ideas. Although many MRI professionals author blogs, MRI technologists do not seem to participate in this form of communication. As social media gains in popularity within the medical radiation technologist profession, it is hoped that more MRI technologists will make use of blogging to facilitate learning, collaboration, and communication.

Effect of Simulation Based Education in Reduction Error and Achieves Skills in Medical Radiation Technologist Students

Effect of Simulation Based Education in Reduction Error and Achieves Skills in Medical Radiation Technologist Students

Effect of simulation based education in reduction error and achieves skills in medical radiation technologist students

Background and Purpose: This study was designed to investigate of simulation based education in achieves skills proficiency in medical radiation technologist students. Methods: The students randomly were divided in two groups, A (n=25) and B (n=22) that received a routine course and simulation based education respectively. The chain of experiments was concerned to evaluate of skills proficiency and reduction error in clinical situation. These experiments includes, time and quality of iso-center setup for linear accelerator, geometrical error in patient positioning, time and accuracy for radiation axis and gantry angle. All experiments were designed in a human phantom. Statistical analysis were performed as the mean and standard deviation with a significance level of p-value <0.05. Results: The duration time for iso-center setup in group A and group B was 4.17 ± 0.76 min and 2.45 ± 0.80 min respectively. The geometrical error in group B was smaller than the group A (p<0.05). The time average for selection of radiation axis in group B was less than 15 sec (81.8% (n=22)) versus 15 -25 sec (75 %( n=25)) in group A (p<0.01). The tasks correctness for group B was better than the group A (p<0.05). Also time duration for gantry angle in prone and supine position for group B was smaller than the A group, 72.7% less than 1.5 min (n=22) versus 16.7% (n=25) respectively. Conclusions: The results show that the simulation based education is useful in reduction errors and achieves skills proficiency in medical radiation technologist students in clinical situations. Keywords: SIMULATION BASED EDUCATION (SBE), REDUCTION ERROR IN RADIATION THERAPY, SKILL PROFICIENCY IN RADIATION THERAPY, MEDICAL RADIATION TECHNOLOGIST. REDUCTION ERROR IN RADIATION THERAPY

Written Observations as a Part of Computed Tomography Angiography Post Processing by Medical Radiation Technologists: A Pilot Project

BackgroundA facility faced a local backlog of computed tomography angiography (CTA) results. During post processing, technologists review the CTA images and may consider pathology demonstrated. This is an excellent scenario for a clinical observation as part of an advanced practice role. Method and MaterialsFive hundred seventeen CTA examinations were performed during the project period. The medical radiation technologist post processed and included observations for 78 CTA examinations. The impact on the timely release of results was considered. The analysis compared the time frame from actual scan completion to results transcribed for both CTA examinations processed and reported by a radiologist only versus those post processed with written observations by the technologist. Evaluations against both a small pool of two radiologists as well as a larger pool of five radiologists are included. Radiologists involved with the project completed a stakeholder evaluation form. ResultsThe five radiologist groups' mean time to results (TTR) was 7.77 days. The CTAs with written observations had a mean TTR of 14.73 days. The two radiologist groups had a mean time to results of 19.69 days. Thus, the CTAs with the written observations provide some efficiency in timely results when compared with a smaller radiologist workforce.

Endovascular Aneurysm Sealing for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair: Evolution or Revolution?

When Juan Parodi, an Argentinian vascular surgeon, performed the first endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) in 1989 [1], the interventional world expected that a revolution in aneurysm repair would quickly follow. The idea of a percutaneously delivered endograft was predicted in 1969 by Charles Dotter and first reported in 1986 at the Radiological Society of North America by another American radiologist, Cesar Gianturco [2]. He used endografts in the tracheobronchial tree amongst other locations [3]. Parodi initially treated type A aneurysms with a surgical tube graft fixed only with a proximal stent. However, he quickly developed a technique to treat aneurysms extending to the aortic bifurcation, and even involving the iliac arteries, using an aorto-uni-iliac endograft with femoral–femoral cross-over (Fig. 1) [4]. During the next few years, pioneers around the world advanced the technologies and techniques, and early commercial endografts became available with most being fully supported by self-expanding stents. By 1993, methods to reconstruct the aorta with a bifurcated endograft were being developed: The most effective involved a graft body with a short and a long limb with the short limb being cannulated and extended from the contralateral femoral artery. At this time, in Perth, Western Australia (the most remote city in the world), a project commenced at Royal Perth Hospital (RPH) to develop an endograft and EVAR programme. This was truly a collaborative project between vascular surgery and interventional radiology lead by two talented and influential pioneers: vascular surgeon Michael Lawrence-Brown and charge medical radiation technologist David Hartley. Patients were first treated in 1993 with a tube graft system, but in June 1994—the exact week I arrived at RPH as interventional radiology fellow [5]—the first bifurcated endograft was deployed (Fig. 2). During the following years, the team made some influential improvements to the procedure and device—including the use of a bifurcated flow model, fixation hooks on a suprarenal stent, delivery nose cone, and integrated safety wire—that would affect EVAR worldwide. A close relationship developed between RPH and Cook Medical (Bloomington, IN) resulting in the development of sheaths and haemostatic valves. Eventually, Cook Medical acquired the technology, and it became the highly successful Cook TriFlex EVAR system.

Implementation of a Multi-Source Feedback System for Quality Assurance for the College of Medical Radiation Technologists of Ontario

Under the Health Professions procedural code of the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 (RHPA), the College of Medical Radiation Technologists of Ontario (CMRTO) is required to provide a means to assess how people in the profession actually perform in practice. As the first step in satisfying the practice assessment requirement of the Quality Assurance program in 2004, the CMRTO retained Edumetrics Ltd. to undertake the development of a multi-source feedback (MSF) program specific to the profession of medical radiation technology. In a comprehensive study led by Dr. Claudio Violato, a professor in the Department of Community Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine at the University of Calgary and an expert in the development of program evaluations, psychometrics, research methods and statistics, the CMRTO developed a 'multi-source' assessment process that provides a means for peers, colleagues, patients and the assessed person to complete a survey focused on the standards of practice. The assessed person receives a summary assessment report or feedback about his or her performance. The multi-source feedback assessment provides a formative evaluation, providing continuous reaction to the performance of a medical radiation technologist (MRT). It compares the MRT's clinical performance to that of other MRTs. The CMRTO multi-source practice assessment approach was piloted in 2005. A number of strategies were used to recruit 327 MRTs to take part in the pilot study. Recruitment strategies included consultation with MRTs respecting the standards of practice as the basis of the MSF project, a detailed communication strategy and telephone recruitment. Although the CMRTO staff experienced challenges in recruiting MRTs to take part in the pilot study and dealing with the resultant feedback, the pilot study was considered a success.