Role-play simulation is implemented in different radiography institutions. This tool develops Knowledge, Skills and Competences (KSC) in students. The aim of this study was to identify the strategies ...implemented by trainers in order to encourage student motivational dynamics and to find those that resonate with students.
Three role-play simulation sessions using a grid were observed in two different radiography institutions that have a simulation centre (two French institutions and one Swiss). In order to identify explicitly or implicitly the motivational strategies used, four interviews with trainers were conducted. To understand students' opinions about these strategies, seven interviews with radiography students were done.
Defining motivation was not easy. The trainers used various strategies to motivate students, not all of which were verbalized in interviews. Although students said they were stressed prior to participating in role-play simulation, this study shows that such simulation sessions are effective to develop high motivational dynamics for students.
This study has identified three main areas of improvement: exploring students' expectations, give importance to patients briefing so that they can fully perform their role and improving the authenticity of the environment. The latter issue can only be addressed through access to up-to-date equipment in training institutions.
•Simulation has a positive impact on the motivational dynamics of student radiographers.•In simulation, trainers implement various strategies to motivate students.•To raise students' motivational level, teachers should explore their expectations in advance.•Teachers must ensure the authenticity of the environment.
To investigate student clinical placement concerns and opinions, during the initial COVID-19 pandemic outbreak and to inform educational institution support planning.
Between mid-June to mid-July ...2020, educational institutions from 12 countries were invited to participate in an online survey designed to gain student radiographer opinion from a wide geographical spread and countries with varying levels of COVID-19 cases.
1277 respondents participated, of these 592 had completed clinical placements during January to June 2020. Accommodation and cohabiting risks were identified as challenging, as was isolation from family, travel to clinical placements, and to a lesser extent childcare. Students stated they had been affected by the feeling of isolation and concerns about the virus whilst on placement. Overall 35.4% of all respondents were ‘Not at all worried’ about being a radiographer, however, 64.6% expressed varying levels of concern and individual domestic or health situations significantly impacted responses (p ≤ 0.05). Year 4 students and recent graduates were significantly more likely to be ‘Not worried at all’ compared to Year 2 and 3 students (p ≤ 0.05). The need for improved communication regarding clinical placements scheduling was identified as almost 50% of students on clinical placements between January to June 2020 identified the completion of assessments as challenging. Furthermore, only 66% of respondents with COVID-19 imaging experience stated being confident with personal protective equipment (PPE) use.
Student radiographers identified key challenges which require consideration to ensure appropriate measures are in place to support their ongoing needs. Importantly PPE training is required before placement regardless of prior COVID-19 imaging experience.
As the next academic year commences, the study findings identify important matters to be considered by education institutions with responsibility for Radiography training and as students commence clinical placements during the on-going global COVID-19 pandemic.
Robust academic pathways are critical to support of radiography faculty within third level education. As the profession of Radiography grows its' research activity, it is important that academic ...opportunities meet the needs of the profession. The purpose of this research was to investigate current academic career pathways across radiography education centres internationally.
An online survey was developed and administered to radiography academics and clinical/academic staff members internationally. The survey questions (n = 28) include demographic data; teaching and research requirements; academic promotion criteria; identification of the challenges and benefits of being an academic, including equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) matters.
A total of 175 responses were obtained (6 continents and 39 countries), with a variety of experience levels amongst academics that primarily held permanent work contracts. Regarding the highest qualifications held, 31.4% (n = 55) had a Doctorate and 45.7% (n = 80) a Master's degree, and most respondents were employed as academic lecturers (40.6%; n = 71), with 17.7% (n = 31) employed at professorial level. The minimum time requirement to achieve a permanent contract was variable, ranging from no delay (5.7%; n = 10) to more than 10 years (12.6%; n = 22). Doctorate qualification is currently not necessary in order to career progression for 126 (72%) respondents, while 52% (n = 91) provided specific research requirements. 106 (60.6%) respondents indicated that their institution has EDI policy.
This study has captured details related to academic pathways across international radiography education centres. Whilst some heterogeneity exists, there are numerous differences impacting standardised academic career opportunities for Radiography academics. These may challenge academic career opportunities and discourage those interested in an academic career.
The profile and educational background of these academics has been highlighted as well as the perceived barriers and advantages of a career in academic.
Simulation offers radiography students the possibility to experiment with Computed Tomography (CT) in a way not possible in clinical practice. The aim of this work was to test a newly developed ...simulator ‘CTSim’ for effectiveness in teaching and learning.
The simulator was tested in two phases. The first phase used a test-retest methodology with two groups, a group that experienced a Simulation based learning intervention and one which did not. The second phase subsequently tested for changes when the same intervention was introduced as part of an existing CT training module.
Phase 1 demonstrated statistically significant improvement of mean scores from 58% to 68% (P < .05) for students who experienced the intervention against no change in scores for the control group. Phase 2 saw mean scores improve statistically significantly in a teaching module from 66% to 73% (P < .05) following the application of the intervention as an active learning component.
The use of the CTSim simulator had a demonstrable effect on student learning when used as an active learning component in CT teaching.
Simulation tools have a place in enhancing teaching and learning in terms of effectiveness and also introduce variety in the medium by which this is done.
Abstract Objectives The aim of the study was to complete a collaborative review of Radiography continuing professional development (CPD) research material to support the production of European ...Federation of Radiographer Societies (EFRS) CPD recommendations. A meta-ethnography approach to literature review was applied focussing upon commonalities rather than discrepancies between research outcomes. This facilitated exploration of context across the geographical region of Europe with national variations in CPD governance. The seven phases of the meta-ethnographic approach were followed by two independent experienced researchers. A third researcher mediated the findings which were then explored collaboratively with the EFRS CPD working group for concordance. Key Findings Phase seven of the meta-ethnography involved interpreting an expression of the synthesis from the previous stages. Six main corroborating themes emerged in this process and following mediation were expressed as themes; knowledge, skills & competency, needs/gap analysis, multi-layered/multi-modal, barriers and drivers; regulation vs autonomy; fostering collaboration – harnessing technology. Conclusion The primary feature of CPD activity should be the resulting impact – to patients, the service, the profession and the individual; with all stakeholders working in partnership. CPD activity must be flexible/multi-modal to support the changing growth/dynamic workforce. All stakeholders should utilise communication and technology resources and make efforts to improve collaboration between the management, regulators and educators to support Radiographers to develop meaningful CPD. Health services across Europe are under increasing stress and a principal factor going forwards will be managing increasing demands on healthcare staff whilst supporting enhancement of the knowledge, skills and competency base.
In clinical practice AP pelvis standard protocols are suitable for average size patients. However, as the average body size has increased over the past decades, radiographers have had to improve ...their practice in order to ensure that adequate image quality with minimal radiation dose to the patient is achieved. Gonad shielding has been found to be an effective way to reduce the radiation dose to the ovaries. However, the effect of increased body size, or fat thickness, in combination with gonad shielding is unclear.
The goal of the study was to investigate the impact of gonad shielding in a phantom of adult female stature with increasing fat thicknesses on SNR (as a measure for image quality) and dose for AP pelvis examination.
An adult Alderson female pelvis phantom was imaged with a variety of fat thickness categories as a representation of increasing BMI. 72 images were acquired using both AEC and manual exposure with and without gonad shielding. The radiation dose to the ovaries was measured using a MOSFET system. The relationship between fat thickness, SNR and dose when the AP pelvis was performed with and without shielding was investigated using the Wilcoxon signed rank test. P-values < 0.05 were considered to be statistically significant.
Ovary dose and SNR remained constant despite the use of gonad shielding while introducing fat layers.
The ovary dose did not increase with an increase of fat thickness and the image quality was not altered.
Based on this phantom study it can be suggested that obese patients can expect the same image quality as average patients while respecting ALARA principle when using adequate protocols.
Abstract Purpose The study evaluates the pre- and post-training lesion localisation ability of a group of novice observers. Parallels are drawn with the performance of inexperienced radiographers ...taking part in preliminary clinical evaluation (PCE) and ‘red-dot’ systems, operating within radiography practice. Materials and methods Thirty-four novice observers searched 92 images for simulated lesions. Pre-training and post-training evaluations were completed following the free-response the receiver operating characteristic (FROC) method. Training consisted of observer performance methodology, the characteristics of the simulated lesions and information on lesion frequency. Jackknife alternative FROC (JAFROC) and highest rating inferred ROC analyses were performed to evaluate performance difference on lesion-based and case-based decisions. The significance level of the test was set at 0.05 to control the probability of Type I error. Results JAFROC analysis ( F (3,33) = 26.34, p < 0.0001) and highest-rating inferred ROC analysis ( F (3,33) = 10.65, p = 0.0026) revealed a statistically significant difference in lesion detection performance. The JAFROC figure-of-merit was 0.563 (95% CI 0.512,0.614) pre-training and 0.677 (95% CI 0.639,0.715) post-training. Highest rating inferred ROC figure-of-merit was 0.728 (95% CI 0.701,0.755) pre-training and 0.772 (95% CI 0.750,0.793) post-training. Conclusions This study has demonstrated that novice observer performance can improve significantly. This study design may have relevance in the assessment of inexperienced radiographers taking part in PCE or commenting scheme for trauma.
Use of some HIV-1 nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTI) is associated with severe adverse events. However, the exact mechanisms behind their toxicity has not been fully understood. ...Mitochondrial dysfunction after chronic exposure to specific NRTIs has predominantly been assigned to mitochondrial polymerase-γ inhibition by NRTIs. However, an increasing amount of data suggests that this is not the sole mechanism. Many NRTI induced adverse events have been linked to the incurrence of oxidative stress, although the causality of events leading to reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and their role in toxicity is unclear. In this study we show that short-term effects of first generation NRTIs, which are rarely discussed in the literature, include inhibition of oxygen consumption, decreased ATP levels and increased ROS production. Collectively these events affect fitness and longevity of C. elegans through mitohormetic signalling events. Furthermore, we demonstrate that these effects can be normalized by addition of the anti-oxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC), which suggests that ROS likely influence the onset and severity of adverse events upon drug exposure.
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