Supporting Radiography Clinical Placements in Ireland during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Practice Educators Perspective
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted healthcare services and the clinical learning environment. Several studies have investigated radiography students ’ experiences of clinical placement during the pandemic; however, few have investigated the Clinical Practice Educator’s (CPEs) perspective. CPEs play a pivotal role in supporting clinical education. (Source: Radiography)
Source: Radiography - February 1, 2023 Category: Radiology Authors: Michelle O ’Connor, Aine Lunney, Jaka Potocnik, Dearbhla Kearney, Jennifer Grehan Source Type: research

The first patients treated with MR-CBCT soft-tissue matching in a MR-only prostate radiotherapy pathway
This study evaluated the first clinical implementation of MR-only prostate radiotherapy using MR-CBCT soft-tissue matching. (Source: Radiography)
Source: Radiography - February 1, 2023 Category: Radiology Authors: J.J. Wyatt, R.A. Pearson, J. Frew, C. Walker, N. Richmond, M. Wilkinson, K. Wilkes, S. Driver, S. West, P. Karen, R.L. Brooks-Pearson, D. Ainslie, E. Wilkins, H.M. McCallum Source Type: research

Identification of factors associated with diagnostic performance variation in reporting of mammograms: A review
This narrative review aims to identify what factors are linked to diagnostic performance variation for those who interpret mammograms. Identification of influential factors has potential to contribute to the optimisation of breast cancer diagnosis. PubMed, ScienceDirect and Google Scholar databases were searched using the following terms: ‘Radiology’, ‘Radiologist’, ‘Radiographer’, ‘Radiography’, ‘Mammography’, ‘Interpret’, ‘read’, ‘observe’ ‘report’, ‘screen’, ‘image’, ‘performance’ and ‘characteristics.’ Exclusion criteria included articles published prior to 2000 as di...
Source: Radiography - January 31, 2023 Category: Radiology Authors: N. Clerkin, C.F. Ski, P.C. Brennan, R. Strudwick Tags: Narrative Review Source Type: research

Radiographer research-what next?
Following the publication of my MSc project around radiographer engagement with research and evidence based practice,1 I was interested to see a further two articles in the same issue of Radiography exploring very similar topics by Yakubu et  al.2 and Vils Pedersen.3 These studies confirmed that my findings of disconnect between expectations upon radiographer research activity and limited actual participation are not just a reality at my site, or even within this country. Other authors including Saukko et al. (Source: Radiography)
Source: Radiography - January 27, 2023 Category: Radiology Authors: H. Watts Tags: Letter to the Editor Source Type: research

Patient dose increase caused by posteroanterior CT localizer radiographs
The aim of this study was to compare the output dose (volume CT dose index [ CTDIvol], and dose length product [DLP]) of automatic tube current modulation (ATCM) determined by localizer radiographs obtained in the anteroposterior (AP) and posteroanterior (PA) directions. (Source: Radiography)
Source: Radiography - January 27, 2023 Category: Radiology Authors: Atsushi Urikura, Yosuke Miyauchi, Tsukasa Yoshida, Yuya Ishita, Keisuke Takiguchi, Masahiro Endo, Takeshi Aramaki Source Type: research

Can retrospectively fusing SPECT to CT images reduce radiation doses in myocardial perfusion imaging?
To establish if the CT dataset acquired during the stress element of myocardial perfusion imaging can be fused to the subsequent rest scan to reduce radiation doses from these procedures. (Source: Radiography)
Source: Radiography - January 25, 2023 Category: Radiology Authors: A. Bishop, S. King, S. Stace, J. Elliott Source Type: research

Optimisation of the CT pulmonary angiogram (CTPA) protocol using a low kV technique combined with high iterative reconstruction (IR): A phantom study
This study aims to optimise the current CTPA protocol at a public general hospital in Malta using lower kV combined with high Iterative Reconstruction (IR) (>50%). (Source: Radiography)
Source: Radiography - January 21, 2023 Category: Radiology Authors: A. Bellizzi, P. Bezzina, F. Zarb Source Type: research

Assessment of the awareness of radiation protection and related concepts among nursing staff mainly working in diagnostic imaging units, cath-labs and operation theatres in Sri Lanka: A survey-based study
This study was carried out to evaluate the awareness of radiation protection, radiation types, medical imaging equipment and radiation effects among nurses for the first time in Sri Lanka. Since nurses are involved as direct caregivers in diagnostic and therapeutic radiography and radiation treatment procedures, they need to have a good understanding of the areas mentioned above. (Source: Radiography)
Source: Radiography - January 21, 2023 Category: Radiology Authors: J. Jeyasugiththan, D.M.T.P.B. Dissanayake, I.M.C.W.B. Kohombakadawala, D.M. Satharasinghe Source Type: research

A pilot study to assess radiographer preliminary clinical evaluation (PCE) introduced for emergency department adult appendicular X-ray examinations: Comparison of trained and untrained radiographers
This study explored the impact of local training on radiographers’ PCE participation and accuracy performance during a trial period. (Source: Radiography)
Source: Radiography - January 19, 2023 Category: Radiology Authors: T. Lidgett, L. Pittock, K. Piper, N. Woznitza Source Type: research

Radiation risk-benefit communication during paediatric CT imaging: Experiences of radiographers at two public hospitals
Radiation dose knowledge and effective communication skills are essential for both radiographers and radiologists to be able to appropriately fulfil their legal responsibilities to justify each medical exposure. Furthermore, they enable the optimisation of imaging protocols and techniques according to the child's characteristics and underlying clinical conditions. Previous studies have shown that radiographers do not provide paediatric patients and their parents/guardians with adequate information about doses and risks before a procedure. (Source: Radiography)
Source: Radiography - January 19, 2023 Category: Radiology Authors: C.N. Aipanda, A. Karera, L. Kalondo, M. Amkongo Source Type: research

The use of videofluoroscopy (VFS) and fibreoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) in the investigation of oropharyngeal dysphagia in stroke patients: A narrative review
Patients with suspected acute stroke require rapid assessment of swallowing on admission. If aspiration is suspected, this takes the form of specialist assessment, using either videofluoroscopy (VFS) or fibreoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES). The review aim was to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of each method in stroke patients. Literature was collected from the databases Scopus, Web of Science and Medline, and articles included in the review were published within the last 10 years, in the English language. (Source: Radiography)
Source: Radiography - January 12, 2023 Category: Radiology Authors: K. Helliwell, V.J. Hughes, C.M. Bennion, A. Manning-Stanley Tags: Narrative Review Source Type: research

Radiographers' perspectives on clinical supervision of students in Ireland
Optimising clinical education in radiography is crucial to ensure competent graduates provide safe and effective patient care. Radiographers play a vital role in student supervision undertaken in the complex clinical environment. A greater understanding of factors influencing their ability to undertake this role effectively is needed. The study aimed to explore radiographers' attitudes and perceptions of confidence in undertaking clinical supervision and perceived barriers in a ‘real-life’ clinical department. (Source: Radiography)
Source: Radiography - January 12, 2023 Category: Radiology Authors: R. Young, M.F. McEntee, D. Bennett Source Type: research

An evaluation of knowledge of circular economy among Therapeutic Radiographers/Radiation Therapists (TR/RTTs): Results of a European survey to inform curriculum design
This study aims to evaluate the knowledge, awareness and attitudes of Therapeutic Radiographers/Radiation Therapists (TR/RTTs) regarding environment-related concepts to inform the development of educational curriculum. (Source: Radiography)
Source: Radiography - January 6, 2023 Category: Radiology Authors: A.L. Soares, S.C. Buttigieg, J.G. Couto, B. Bak, S. McFadden, C. Hughes, P. McClure, J. Rodrigues, I. Bravo Source Type: research

Patient-centred care when diagnosed with a sarcoma and cushing syndrome
My personal experience of being a patient was a defining moment in my life and taught me how little I knew about measuring clinical outcomes in terms of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and the consequences of having cancer. After 6 years of visiting a total of 7 physicians I was finally diagnosed with two serious medical conditions, Cushing syndrome (CS), and a right lower leg sarcoma. CS is a rare condition of chronically elevated cortisol levels resulting in diverse comorbidities, many of which endure beyond successful treatment thus affecting a patient's quality of life (QoL). (Source: Radiography)
Source: Radiography - January 5, 2023 Category: Radiology Authors: M. McBride Tags: Guest editorial Source Type: research

Advanced practice roles amongst therapeutic radiographers/radiation therapists: A European survey
This study aimed to assess AP roles amongst Therapeutic Radiographers/Radiation Therapists (TR/RTTs) and identify educational gaps for this level across Europe. (Source: Radiography)
Source: Radiography - January 4, 2023 Category: Radiology Authors: C. Oliveira, B. Barbosa, J.G. Couto, I. Bravo, C. Hughes, S. McFadden, R. Khine, H.A. McNair Source Type: research