Radiography最新文献

Introduction

International student mobility (ISM) is increasingly utilised in higher education to allow students the opportunity to engage authentically with cultures outside their own, providing an opportunity for self-growth. These growth opportunities often extend skills such as cultural competency, academic learning and self-efficacy, all of which are important skills for diagnostic radiography graduates. This study explores the motivations, benefits and pitfalls of an ISM program and highlights key considerations for academics considering organising a program within their own university.

Methods

This study utilised a combination of individual and small group interviews to collect data about diagnostic radiography students’ motivations, perceived benefits and pitfalls of undertaking ISM. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis and overarching themes were developed.

Results and discussion

Three themes were developed from the data, challenges and uncertainty, personal growth, and support. Participants undertaking ISM faced challenges such as cultural differences, as well as feelings of uncertainty. Additionally, they highlighted the importance of organisation in mitigating these challenges. Despite the challenges faced, participants reported significant personal growth and success as a result of the program, integral to this success was the support of their peers and academic advisors.

Conclusion

ISM programs may lead to enhanced employability of diagnostic radiography graduates, with integral skills such as teamwork, communication cultural competence being enhanced in participants. The role of support during ISM is integral to the success of the program. It is imperative for academics organising ISM programs at their institutions to deliberately consider the way in which radiography students are supported both before and during the program to enhance the experience and ensure outcomes are maximised.

Introduction

Intelligent virtual and AI-based collimation functionalities have the potential to enable an efficient workflow for radiographers, but the specific impact on clinical routines is still unknown. This study analyzes primarily the influence of intelligent collimation functionalities on the examination time and the number of needed interactions with the radiography system.

Methods

An observational study was conducted on the use of three camera-based intelligent features at five clinical sites in Europe and the USA: AI-based auto thorax collimation (ATC), smart virtual ortho (SVO) collimation for stitched long-leg and full-spine examinations, and virtual collimation (VC) at the radiography system workstation. Two people conducted semi-structured observations during routine examinations to collect data with the functionalities either activated or deactivated.

Results

Median exam duration was 31 vs. 45 s (p < 0.0001) for 95 thorax examinations with ATC and 94 without ATC. For stitched orthopedic examinations, 34 were performed with SVO and 40 without SVO, and the median exam duration was 62 vs. 82 s (p < 0.0001). The median time for setting the ortho range – i.e., the time between setting the upper and the lower limits of the collimation field – was 7 vs. 16 s for 39 examinations with SVO and 43 without SVO (p < 0.0001). In 109 thorax examinations with ATC and 112 without ATC, the median number of system interactions was 1 vs. 2 (p < 0.0001). VC was used to collimate in 2.4% and to check the collimation field in 68.5% of 292 observed chest and other examinations.

Conclusion

ATC and SVO enable the radiographer to save time during chest or stitched examinations. Additionally, ATC reduces machine interactions during chest examinations.

Implications for practice

System and artificial intelligence can support the radiographer during the image acquisition by providing a more efficient workflow.

Introduction

Breast cancer affects women around the world. Communication is essential for managing and treating breast cancer, especially in the breast imaging department. By communicating effectively, mammographers can help to alleviate the fear and burden that breast cancer brings to the lives of affected women. In this study, we explored and described the role of communication between mammographers and post-mastectomy patients in the Limpopo province of South Africa.

Methods

This was a qualitative exploratory, descriptive study. Individual in-depth interviews were conducted with patients who underwent mastectomy as well as mammographers in selected healthcare institutions. Due to the different languages used in Limpopo, the researcher had this questionnaire for patients translated in Sepedi. Participants were purposively sampled. Data collection took approximately two months. Summative content analysis was used to analyse the data.

Results

Eleven mammographers and 36 patients were interviewed. Three themes emerged from the data collected. Mammographers highlighted the importance of being accommodative, supportive, and sympathetic towards patients. Mammographers made every effort to maintain a good communication path and understanding with their patients. The patients had high admiration for the work and support of mammographers and perceived mammographers as healthcare providers who were trustworthy and held them in high regard.

Conclusion

Communication is key in ensuring cooperation between mammographers and patients. Additionally, the mode of communication, including the language should be considered. It is important that patients receive information in languages they are comfortable in. It will help patients understand the proceedings of the examination for which they have been booked for as well as the need for follow-up. Training related to communication for mammographers and possibly the addition of more South African languages as an extra course/module to allow communication with patients to be well carried out.

Implications for practice

The study contributes to a growing body of knowledge within the training of mammographers as well as the implementation of role extension for mammographers.

Introduction

3D positioning cameras that automate the positioning of patients with respect to the CT isocentre have been developed and are in common use in CT departments. This study aimed to compare the performance of radiographers and a 3D camera system with respect to positioning accuracy and the effect on patient radiation dose for chest-abdomen-pelvis scans.

Methods

Patient positioning and dose data obtained from a dose management system was evaluated over a two-month period for patients positioned with (CAM_on) and without (CAM_off) the positioning camera. Median vertical and lateral offset values were compared between the groups whilst doses were evaluated as a function of patient water equivalent diameter (WED) for the thorax and abdomen-pelvis acquisitions for both cohorts.

Results

Radiographers demonstrated high levels of positioning accuracy, however significant improvements in median vertical offset were identified for the CAM_on cohort for both thorax (8 mm vs. 17 mm (p = 0.001)) and abdomen-pelvis (7 mm vs. 16 mm (p = 0.003)) scans. The percentage of patients positioned within 5 mm of the isocentre was 39.0% and 16.1% for the CAM_on and CAM_off cohorts. For CAM_off scans, 77.4% of patients were positioned below the isocentre, but this was reduced to 45.8% for CAM_on scans. No significant changes in dose as a function of WED were identified related to the camera use (thorax: p = 0.569, abdomen-pelvis: p = 0.760).

Conclusion

Use of a 3D camera delivered significant improvements in the accuracy and reproducibility of patient positioning when compared with radiographers.

Implications for practice

Improvements in positioning accuracy were observed at the research site and hence positioning camera use has the potential to become standard practice in CT to help ensure appropriate doses are delivered to patients according to their size.

Objectives

Effective transition into radiography practice for newly qualified radiographers (NQR's), radiographers returning to practice after career breaks, and internationally trained radiographers requires support inclusive of preceptorship and mentorship. The purpose of this scoping review is to evaluate the literature pertaining to preceptorship and mentorship support in radiography to identify knowledge gaps. This is timely in view of the health and care professions council (HCPC) recently published preceptorship guidance.

Key Findings

A scoping review methodology underpinned by Arksey and O'Malley framework was undertaken, which employed a systematic search using combined keywords and Medical Subject Heading terms (MeSH) related to preceptorship and mentorship, of electronic databases: CINAHL, Pubmed, Embase, Scopus and Google scholar. A predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria were used to screen by three independent reviewers, the titles, abstract and full text of articles using Covidence software (www.covidence.org). 10 articles in the English language were selected for the final review.

1574 articles were retrieved and assessed for eligibility, and 10 articles published between 2006 and 2022 met the inclusion criteria. Most of the research was conducted in the United Kingdom and only one study was published in Australia. The studies mainly focused on experiences of NQR, and experienced radiographers' perspectives on preceptorship and mentorship in diagnostic and radiotherapy radiography. It was established from the studies that there is variation in approaches to the transition process in terms of types of programmes, duration, and quality. Self-reported increase in confidence and competence was noted as a central objective, and barriers to implementation were identified to include lack of awareness and accessibility to available programmes, lack of clarity on aims and intended benefits, and lack of employer support pertaining to protected time.

Conclusion

The paucity of research renders current preceptorship and mentorship practices in radiography inadequate for effective transition of different radiography groups into their role. Further research is required to evaluate the models of preceptorship and mentorship, their impact and intended outcomes on radiography practice.

Implications for practice

The identification of knowledge gaps in this area can support employers and researchers in the development of effective models of preceptorships and mentorship which can be evaluated for implementation for specific radiography groups.

Introduction

During Computed Tomography (CT) scans of the Thorax-Abdomen-Pelvis (TAP) the patient's arms should be positioned above the head to obtain optimal image quality and expose the patient to the lowest possible radiation dose. This may be impossible with patients with shoulder problems leading to arms being positioned in other ways. This study aimed to investigate differences in objective image quality and estimated effective dose (E), when positioning the arms below shoulder level in CT-TAP.

Methods

An anthropomorphic phantom with cadaver arms was used. Four arm positions were tested: Along the torso (A), on the pelvis (B), on a pillow on the pelvis (C), and one arm on pillow on the pelvis and the other arm on the pelvis (D). A Siemens SOMATOM Definition Flash CT-scanner with CareDose 4D was used. The dose length product was read to estimate E. Image quality was assessed objectively by measuring noise within the region of interest in the liver and urinary bladder.

Results

Significant differences in E between all arm positions were seen (p = 0.005). The lowest E was obtained in position C, reducing E by 8.42%. Position A provided the best image quality but the highest E.

Conclusion

This study showed no unequivocal optimal positioning of arms in CT-TAP. Position A provided the best object image quality, while position C yielded the lowest E. These results may impact the planning of diagnostic CT where positioning of arms may influence optimal image quality and radiation dose.

Implication for practice

This study illustrates tendencies for objective image quality and E when arms are positioned below shoulder level. Further research is needed to assess the clinical relevance with the diagnostic potential.

Introduction

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a common pathology with significant morbidity and mortality, often occurring in the lower limb. Ultrasound is the modality of choice for diagnosis of DVT, but all guidance in the United Kingdom assumes a single leg referral. Few studies have addressed the question of bilateral referrals and bilateral DVTs, and it is not known how these should be included in ultrasound protocols. This study aims to compare the request and report parameters of bilateral examinations with those for single leg examinations over a six-month period.

Methods

A single-centre feasibility study collected data on all single and bilateral leg examinations performed by sonographers, over a six-month period at a small general hospital. Data collected for each examination included the referral and report findings. These were compared using basic statistical methods to compare DVT yield by laterality, referrer, DVT site, and patient factors.

Results

Six hundred and thirty examinations were included, eighteen of which were bilateral examinations. Although the bilateral leg cohort was small, there were significant differences in DVT yield between the groups, with single leg referrals more than eight times more likely to demonstrate a DVT at ultrasound.

Conclusion

In a context of limited ultrasound resource, the low DVT yield of bilateral examinations has implications for service design. Further data collection will be needed to validate initial results, and to establish suitable criteria for acceptance of bilateral DVT referrals.

Implications for practice

Low yield of DVTs in bilateral examinations can be validated via further research. Bilateral examinations can be explicitly included in DVT service design.

Introduction

Breast imaging plays a crucial role in the early detection and management of breast cancer, with visual quality, modality innovation and diagnostic performance being key factors in achieving accurate diagnoses and optimal patient outcomes. This paper presents a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of the literature on the three above elements focusing on breast imaging, aiming to uncover publication trends, identify influential works and authors, and highlight future research directions.

Methods

We employed a methodical bibliometric approach, making use of Scopus and Web of Science (WoS) databases for gathering literatures. We planned our search strategy, concentrating on terms linked to “breast imaging,” “image quality,” and “diagnostic accuracy” to ensure a systematic examination of the subject. The enhanced search functions in these databases enabled us to narrow down and improve our findings, choosing only the articles, conference papers, and book sections that are most relevant. After conducting a thorough screening process to remove duplicates and evaluate significance, we utilized ScientoPy and VOSviewer software for an in-depth bibliometric analysis. This helped to explore trends in publications, patterns of citations, and thematic groups, giving us a better understanding of how the field has changed and where it currently stands. Our approach prioritized assessing methodological quality and bias in the studies we included, guaranteeing the reliability of our findings.

Results

We reviewed 2984 relevant publications, revealing a consistent annual growth rate of 2.8% in breast imaging research, with the United States and Europe leading in contributions. The study found that advancements in radiological technologies and international collaboration are driving forces behind the field's expansion. Key subject areas such as ‘Radiology, Nuclear Medicine, and Medical Imaging’ dominated, underscoring their impact on diagnostic quality. Notable authors and institutions have been identified for their influential research, characterized by high citation metrics and significant scholarly impact.

Conclusion

The study shows a continuous increase in research on breast imaging, considered by new technologies and teamwork defining the present time. The assessment highlights a key move towards utilizing digital imaging methods and computational analysis, affecting the improvement of future diagnostic procedures and patients’ results. The study highlights the importance of continued international collaborations to tackle the new barriers in breast imaging and make the most of technological progress.

Implications for practice

This study shows a focus on using interdisciplinary methods and cutting-edge technology in breast imaging to help healthcare professionals improve their performance and accuracy in diagnosis. Recognizing vital r