Formalising written preliminary image evaluation by Australian radiographers: a review of practice value

Abstract The Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia (MRPBA) minimum competency framework requires all Australian radiographers to identify significant pathology in radiological images and take appropriate action to alert these urgent findings and ensure patient safety. Despite professional bo...

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Main Authors: Allie Tonks, Justin Varcoe, Siena Maurici
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2024-03-01
Series:Journal of Medical Radiation Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/jmrs.722
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author Allie Tonks
Justin Varcoe
Siena Maurici
author_facet Allie Tonks
Justin Varcoe
Siena Maurici
author_sort Allie Tonks
collection DOAJ
description Abstract The Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia (MRPBA) minimum competency framework requires all Australian radiographers to identify significant pathology in radiological images and take appropriate action to alert these urgent findings and ensure patient safety. Despite professional bodies endorsing the provision of preliminary image evaluations (PIE) in written format, radiographer image interpretation often remains inconsistent, informal, or undocumented. The purpose of this narrative review was to assess the literature to determine if PIE in the form of written radiographer comments is of value to the Australian healthcare system. A structured search was completed using four health research databases: CINAHL, Medline, Scopus and Web of Science. Studies have suggested that there is a contextual need for commenting due to increased imaging service pressures, radiologist shortages and subsequent reporting delays. Radiographers appear well placed and willing to provide accurate initial input with evidence that this would be valued and appreciated within the multidisciplinary team. Radiographer commenting has also been shown to reduce diagnostic and communicative errors with the potential to improve patient management. Finally, it was shown that participation in image interpretation practices can enhance recruitment, retention and job satisfaction among radiographers. Therefore, the current literature supports implementation of radiographer commenting within the Australian healthcare system.
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spelling doaj.art-35716c357f604ffb96145e8220ca05bd2024-03-08T05:32:44ZengWileyJournal of Medical Radiation Sciences2051-38952051-39092024-03-0171112313210.1002/jmrs.722Formalising written preliminary image evaluation by Australian radiographers: a review of practice valueAllie Tonks0Justin Varcoe1Siena Maurici2Radiology Department Sydney Adventist Hospital Sydney AustraliaRadiology Department Blue Mountains Hospital Blue Mountains AustraliaRadiology Department Macquarie University Hospital Sydney AustraliaAbstract The Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia (MRPBA) minimum competency framework requires all Australian radiographers to identify significant pathology in radiological images and take appropriate action to alert these urgent findings and ensure patient safety. Despite professional bodies endorsing the provision of preliminary image evaluations (PIE) in written format, radiographer image interpretation often remains inconsistent, informal, or undocumented. The purpose of this narrative review was to assess the literature to determine if PIE in the form of written radiographer comments is of value to the Australian healthcare system. A structured search was completed using four health research databases: CINAHL, Medline, Scopus and Web of Science. Studies have suggested that there is a contextual need for commenting due to increased imaging service pressures, radiologist shortages and subsequent reporting delays. Radiographers appear well placed and willing to provide accurate initial input with evidence that this would be valued and appreciated within the multidisciplinary team. Radiographer commenting has also been shown to reduce diagnostic and communicative errors with the potential to improve patient management. Finally, it was shown that participation in image interpretation practices can enhance recruitment, retention and job satisfaction among radiographers. Therefore, the current literature supports implementation of radiographer commenting within the Australian healthcare system.https://doi.org/10.1002/jmrs.722Diagnostic imagingradiographic image interpretationradiographyradiology departmentX‐rays
spellingShingle Allie Tonks
Justin Varcoe
Siena Maurici
Formalising written preliminary image evaluation by Australian radiographers: a review of practice value
Journal of Medical Radiation Sciences
Diagnostic imaging
radiographic image interpretation
radiography
radiology department
X‐rays
title Formalising written preliminary image evaluation by Australian radiographers: a review of practice value
title_full Formalising written preliminary image evaluation by Australian radiographers: a review of practice value
title_fullStr Formalising written preliminary image evaluation by Australian radiographers: a review of practice value
title_full_unstemmed Formalising written preliminary image evaluation by Australian radiographers: a review of practice value
title_short Formalising written preliminary image evaluation by Australian radiographers: a review of practice value
title_sort formalising written preliminary image evaluation by australian radiographers a review of practice value
topic Diagnostic imaging
radiographic image interpretation
radiography
radiology department
X‐rays
url https://doi.org/10.1002/jmrs.722
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