Coexisting Management and Professional Skills in Radiology Technologists

Background and Purpose

In the past, the development of professional skills by medical practitioners has greatly benefited patients. Currently, management skills, which should be developed in balance with professional skills, seem to have been neglected. The increasing imbalance between these two skills has rendered communication between healthcare professionals and patients, and among healthcare professionals increasingly difficult. This study was conducted to clarify the current status of management and professional skills among radiology technologists and to explore solutions to the imbalance problem.

Methods

This literature review examines previous studies, focusing on the views of the various authors regarding management skills. The subsequent interview survey included a total of 17 participants with professional training in radiology working at seven medical institutions nationwide (seven department heads and nine subordinates, and one former director of the Japan Radiological Technologists Association, who was added to supplement the analysis).

Results

Management skill enhancement requires learning, teaching, and mentoring. Some universities and other educational institutions have focused on the importance of management skills and are making efforts to focus on collaborative education of many professions. However, some staff members have reacted negatively to progressive initiatives such as "reassignment to other departments," including open communities with diversity. Clarification of the reasons for such negative reactions is the subject of this study.

Conclusions

A demonstrated need exists to enhance professional skills in radiology. Radiology technologists are not AI; they are flesh-and-blood people in the workplace, and workplaces require management skills. Professional skills can be augmented with management skills. However, it is not possible to augment management skills with professional skills.