The Canadian journal of medical radiation technology最新文献

To facilitate online setup correction in breast radiotherapy, we studied the visibility of three types of surgical clips of differing materials using three different image verification methods. Titanium, tantalum and stainless steel clips of identical size were embedded in various orientations in the breast attachments of a tissue-equivalent phantom. Clip visibility was assessed for isocentric megavoltage, isocentric kilovoltage, and floor-mounted kilovoltage imaging. Based upon this phantom study, titanium clips are recommended for isocentric kilovoltage verification imaging, and tantalum clips are recommended for isocentric megavoltage and floor-mounted kilovoltage verification imaging.

Internationally educated radiation therapists (IERT) coming to practice their profession in the province of Ontario do not have access to a transitional program as do their counterparts, the internationally educated diagnostic radiographers (IEDR). This study examines whether there is a need for such a program for IERTs.

A process of triangulation - involving surveys, interviews, classroom observation and consultation - was used to identify and compare the specific needs of these two professional groups, and to evaluate how well the existing program meets the specific needs of IEDRs. Based on those findings, on future projections of supply and demand for external recruits within the province of Ontario, and on other considerations, a conclusion is drawn as to whether a transitional program should be made available for IERTs.

The specific needs of the two professional groups, IERTs and IEDRs were found to be quite similar. While the transitional program available to IEDRs meets their specific needs reasonably well, there remains room for improvement.

Although both the supply and the demand for IERTs have declined, there is a need and strong support for a transitional program for them. With some modifications from the current program available to IEDRs, a transitional program would serve the needs of IERTs reasonably well and should be made available to them.

All components of contemporary health care practice must be supported by the best available evidence in order to maximize the potential for successful patient care. As in other disciplines, researched-based evidence is a major contributor to the development of contemporary clinical practice and decision making in the medical radiation technologies.

However, in recent years a rapid proliferation of clinical studies and journal publications combined with a growing complexity of diagnostic imaging methods has made it difficult for practicing medical radiation technologists (MRT's) to remain current with the relevant clinical research. Because we rely on this clinical research evidence to determine the efficacy and applicability of new diagnostic tests and treatments, it is essential that we possess the skills for the effective procurement and interpretation of the scientific literature. For MRT's, barriers to this task may include lack of training in: defining good clinical questions, the optimal use the bibliographic databases and search engines used in accessing scientific research literature, and the appraisal and integration of acquired research evidence.

Evidence-based decision making (EBDM) is a systematic process that enables the “conscientious, explicit, and judicious use of the current best evidence in making health care decisions.” 1 The development of this approach is derived in large part by the need to manage information overload. Such information is essential to the management of skyrocketing health care costs, ensuring the delivery of best diagnosis and treatment. When combined with clinical skills and judgments, patient values and expectations, the EBDM approach serves to maximize the potential for achieving successful patient care outcomes. Specifically, the implementation of EBDM has been shown to: close the gap between knowledge and practice, decrease variability in practice, and increase the use of best research evidence in practice thereby improving the level of clinical care provided by health care professionals. In this directed study article, we define the EBDM process as it pertains to medical radiation technologies.