Journal of Medical Radiation Sciences最新文献

Dynamic Digital Radiography (DDR) is an emerging X-ray technology that captures anatomical motion through rapid sequential imaging, typically at 15 frames per second. By enabling real-time visualisation of physiological processes, DDR offers functional insights that extend beyond the capabilities of traditional static radiography. This literature review evaluates current evidence on DDR's clinical applications, with particular attention to pulmonary assessment, cardiac motion analysis and orthopaedic evaluations. Recent advances in post-processing software, including motion quantification and enhanced visual analytics, further support DDR's potential utility in a range of clinical settings. Findings from existing studies indicate that DDR provides meaningful functional information that may assist clinicians in evaluating disease progression, monitoring treatment response and identifying subtle dynamic abnormalities. Its portability and relatively low radiation dose are notable advantages, especially for patients with limited mobility or for point-of-care use. DDR has shown diagnostic performance comparable to established modalities such as CT, conventional radiography and fluoroscopy in selected applications, suggesting value as a complementary imaging tool. Nevertheless, the review also highlights important limitations. Current research is constrained by small study populations and limited long-term data. Although DDR offers versatility and unique dynamic imaging capability, its ability to outperform established modalities is unclear, making its suitability as a replacement in routine clinical practice uncertain. Broader adoption will require further large-scale, standardised studies to establish diagnostic accuracy, reproducibility and cost-effectiveness. Overall, DDR represents a promising adjunct to existing imaging technologies. Its ability to capture real-time anatomical motion positions it as a valuable emerging tool with the potential to enhance functional assessment and expand imaging accessibility across varied clinical environments.

Introduction: Sonography phantoms are an educational tool for training student sonographers and acquainting health science students to the conventions of sonography, which employs high frequency sound waves for soft tissue imaging. Phantoms are objects that mimic human anatomy and their appearance on sonography, enabling the practical application of theoretical skills in a simulated environment. As such, sonography phantoms are essential in providing an interactive experience for medical imaging students by consolidating theoretical knowledge and facilitating collaborative learning. This research study aims to analyse the experiences of diagnostic radiography students' use of four new sonography phantoms recently integrated into their curricula to examine the implementation of the phantoms in this environment which has not yet been researched.

Methods: A mixed methods study was performed using an online Qualtrics survey composed of open and closed-ended questions as well as focus groups.

Results: Twenty-three students completed the survey, of whom thirteen participated in focus groups. Most students indicated strong engagement with these learning tools, found them easy to use, and demonstrated an improved understanding of sonography. Key themes generated from the focus groups and open-ended survey questions included active phantom engagement, appreciation of sonography, and its role in medical imaging and quality improvement.

Conclusion: Students indicated a substantial level of enjoyment from phantom engagement and learning, describing a greater appreciation of sonography.

Introduction: Radiography students are exposed to computed tomography (CT) education within coursework and clinical placements. To inform enhancement of CT education in university curricula, the aim of this narrative review was to explore the current published literature relating to CT teaching methods and assessment of diagnostic radiography students during university training.

Methods: Medline, CINAHL, and Web of Science databases were used to search for articles published in English between 2015 and 2025. Reference lists of included studies were also searched. Data was extracted from 13 included studies and summarised into three themes: (1) CT education methods and characteristics, (2) evaluation of CT education activities: approaches and outcomes, and (3) student assessment in CT education.

Results: Most studies reported that CT education commonly involved on-campus training, with fewer studies incorporating clinical placements. Developed CT education activities commonly used a tutorial-based approach, with use of CT scanners (direct access or remote-access) and virtual reality. Evaluation of CT education activities focused on student knowledge and students' experience of the education activity. Assessment in CT is mostly based on pre-post intervention quizzes to assess knowledge and blogs for reflection.

Conclusion: On-campus CT education supports CT knowledge for students, with clinical education playing an important role in furthering knowledge and skills. On-campus education benefits from guided learning, to support students' knowledge gain and confidence. CT education within clinical and academic settings, as well as how competency is achieved prior to graduation in radiography students, should be further investigated.

Introduction: To evaluate insertion feasibility of a stabilised hyaluronic acid (sHA) gel rectal spacer in gynaecological cancer high dose rate brachytherapy (GynBT).

Methods: This single institution prospective study included patients with gynaecological cancers receiving magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided GynBT. Feasibility was assessed by technical success, clinician user experience, spacer visibility on MRI and spacer stability over the GynBT course.

Results: Twelve patients were included in this study. Insertion of sHA gel into the rectovaginal space was achieved in all 12 patients without spacer-related complications. Clinicians reported sHA gel as easy to use, with high visibility on TRUS (rated 4-5) and excellent visibility on MRI. Target-to-rectum distance increased with sHA spacer insertion (mean 7.82 mm, 95% CI: 5.27-10.36, p < 0.001). During GynBT, there was a reduction in sHA gel spacer volume (mean 1.75 cc, 95% CI: 0.57-2.93, p = 0.007) and craniocaudal distance (mean -3.87 mm, 95% CI: -7.37 to -0.36, p = 0.034). However, there were no significant changes in target-to-rectum distance (p = 0.490) and spacer level measurements (p > 0.2).

Conclusion: Insertion of sHA gel rectal spacer is technically feasible and safe in GynBT, increasing the separation between the target and rectum. The sHA gel spacer is easy to use, highly visible on both TRUS and MRI, and stable during the entire GynBT course. Further studies are required to ascertain patient suitability, dosimetric comparison, patient-reported outcomes, toxicities, and optimal technique.

Trial registration: The study was registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12625000167460).

Introduction: Preliminary image evaluation (PIE) is an abnormality detection system that enables radiographers to assist emergency department (ED) clinicians in their treatment decisions by minimising radiographic interpretation errors. For a PIE to be successful, radiographers need to provide accurate comments on images. Given the limited number of studies that evaluate radiographers' false PIE comments, the aim of this study was to determine common false negative (FN) and false positive (FP) comments in one district in New Zealand (NZ).

Methods: Six months of PIE comments performed in the Taranaki district in NZ were collected and scored into four categories: true positive, true negative, FP or FN. The FN and FP comments were then evaluated to determine common errors and compared with international research.

Results: A total of 844 PIE comments were collected, with 21 (2.5%) scored as FN, and 27 (3.2%) scored as FP. The common FN themes included subtle or avulsion fractures, predominantly in fingers, hands, and wrists. The common FP themes were normal variants in the foot and ankle that were mistaken for fractures.

Conclusion: Several recommendations are made from this study to help improve radiographer PIE accuracy. These include the addition of an unsure or equivocal category when scoring PIE comments to account for PIE comments with ambiguous language. Other recommendations include ongoing targeted training of common errors and a higher resolution monitor (generally used for image reporting by radiologists) for radiographers when performing PIE.

Introduction: A patient's cancer care journey can be complex and difficult to navigate. A new model of radiation therapist-driven patient care, the Patient Care Radiation Therapist (PCRT), was established in 2019. The aim of this study was to assess multidisciplinary staff knowledge and perceptions of the efficacy of the current PCRT role and potential barriers to expanding the role.

Methods: A survey incorporating quantitative and qualitative research strategies was used to collect interdisciplinary team members' perceptions of the PCRT role. Data were assessed by a five-member team and included both quantitative analysis and theme generation through qualitative analysis.

Results: From 118 surveys distributed, the response rate was 55%, with representation from all craft groups. Of the 65 who responded, 94% perceived PCRTs to positively support their clinical roles to improve patient care pathways. Effective communication skills and high-level interpersonal skills were considered the most important skills required by PCRTs to fulfil their role. In analysing the qualitative data and establishing themes, four key areas emerged that included personalised care, care coordination, effective communication skills and patient education.

Conclusion: Identifying gaps in our current cancer services and utilising technical knowledge combined with patient care skills, the PCRT can influence patient care pathways, improve efficiencies and improve the patient experience. To achieve this, clear role delineation and communication between the multidisciplinary team are paramount.

Introduction: Patient contact shielding has been used in paediatric radiography as standard practice for decades. Contemporary evidence no longer supports its use in routine clinical practice. The Medical Imaging Department of an Australian quaternary paediatric hospital implemented the discontinuation of all patient contact shielding using the capability, opportunity, motivation and behaviour (COM-B) model and the theoretical domains framework (TDF). This study evaluated the implementation process with particular focus on patient, family and staff responses.

Methods: An implementation study was conducted using a mixed-methods approach, comprising retrospective analysis of imaging records (7 months pre/post implementation) and prospective collection of survey data. Implementation strategies were developed using theory-guided frameworks to address potential barriers to change.

Results: Retrospectively, there were 1614 examinations assessed pre-implementation and 1845 post-implementation. Pre-implementation shielding rates were 45% and 39% for male and female patients respectively. The post-implementation prospective survey component included 7581 patients, 0.4% (n = 31) of whom raised queries about the policy change. Only 11 shielding requests occurred within 5 months post-implementation, declining to zero thereafter.

Conclusion: Theory-guided implementation was remarkably effective in translating contemporary evidence into practice. The process of removing patient shielding was achieved with minimal concern from patients and their families, contrary to expectations that this change would generate significant resistance.