16 Introduction: The key elements of quality management are audits. The idea of audits is to compare the clinical practice with the standards of best practice. This will offer information on both strengths and issues for development. The audits should be regular and they can be external or internal. The latter include self-assessments, which usually comprise of three phases: planning and preparation, execution and evaluation. Clinical image quality means the visualization of normal anatomical structures at the diagnostic level. A plain radiographic examination is the most common basic examination whereby clinical image quality should be systematically assessed by the organization. Clinical image quality can be assessed using quality criteria and appropriate technical criteria. Visual grading is an established method for assessment of clinical image quality. The assessment can be absolute or relative and the scale for assessment can consist of 2–5 steps. A diagnostically adequate plain radiographic examination improves patient care and reveals the competence of a radiographer. However, adequate and constant clinical image quality requires multidisciplinary collaboration. Patients’ freedom of choice concerning the place for examinations and care is now national in Finland. This creates a need for quality information on which to base decisions. Previous studies on this topic are apparently few. The purpose of this development work was to carry out the self-assessment of clinical image quality in plain radiography of adult patients’ lungs and knees according to best practice. The work was done for Kanta-Häme Central Hospital (KHCH) and there were three co-operative organizations. Methods: An applied systematic literature review and a qualitative study were performed. Articles and self-assessment documents and interviews from co-operative organizations were analyzed. A quantitative pilot study of the developed practice was conducted. Results: Little evidence-based data was found and practices varied. The clinical image quality at KHCH is good, but issues for development also became apparent. The assessors’ experiences were mainly positive. The results can be utilized at KHCH for the development of quality, and the developed practice can be applied even more widely as a bank of ideas. The role of radiographers could be strengthened. There is a need for standards that could enhance the implementation of self-assessments. 6.2. Evidence Based Practice at Medical Imaging Center of Tampere University Hospital Presenter: Karoliina Heikkilä, Medical Imaging Center and Hospital Pharmacy of Tampere University Hospital, Finland Authors: Heikkilä Karoliina, Paimensalo-Karell Introduction: Working group was set up at the Medical Imaging Center during the year 2012 as part of wider EBP project. The task was to develop evidence based practice (EBP). Group decided to focus on developing competence of the EBP and research utilization among radiographers and nurses. Initiative started by a small survey where the aim was to describe the level of know-how of the EBP among nursing staff. Survey also gave information about areas that needed to develop so EBP could become part of the everyday practice. The results showed EBP knowledge deficiency among radiographers and nurses (n=56). Though respondents considered research evidence to be significant for their work and research utilization to be part of their job, skills for database searching and information retrieval was considered to be inadequate. Respondents also pointed out that they weren't familiar with the research information of their own field. Findings showed that bringing new evidence in practice was considered to be mainly task of the managers or physicians and physicists. Also students weren't counseled to search information during their guided clinical training. On the basis of the results group decided to organize training to develop database searching and information retrieval skills. First session was in spring 2013 and it was held by two nursing staff members who had continued their studies. Aim was to familiarize participants with the use of most common search engines of healthcare. Aim was also to motivate and encourage them to search research information. Written and verbal feedback from the training was positive. That encourages holding another session with the same content. Methods: Additionally advanced training was held to deepen participant`s database searching and information retrieval skills. EBP was also developed by organizing so called research clubs that can be compared to workshops. Results: Focus of these clubs is to introduce the latest research information and share knowledge with co-workers. It is also a forum where radiographers and nurses who have continued their studies can introduce their studies and theses. Students have also been included part of the development of EBP by giving themes to their theses and written tasks. Effect of these actions will be measured by follow-up survey in spring 2014. All actions will be continued and developed during 2014. 6.3. Radiographers attitude and involvement in radiographic research - a literature review Presenter: Mona Vestbøstad, Norwegian Radiography Research Group, Authors: R. Gullien, Oslo University Hospital, L. Hafskjold, Buskerud and Vestfold University College, A. M. Myklebust, Buskerud and Vestfold University College, S. Hofvind, Cancer registry of Norway, Institute of Population-based Cancer research Introduction: The main goal of radiography is to perform safe and accurate imaging examinations and post-processing of the images, and as a therapeutic radiographer, to prepare and perform safe and accurate high-energy radiation treatment. Further, caretaking of the patients, physical and psychosocially, before, during and after examination and therapy are a part of the radiographic work. The duality of the work is unique for the profession and requires special trained professionals. In an academic setting, the duality gives opportunity of research based on quantitative and qualitative study designs. Research activity is a fundamental principle for healthcare professions and their performance. Radiography is a part of health sciences, but radiographers struggle to establish a common international knowledge base. Until now, physicists and radiologist have contributed to most of the published research related radiography. The percentage of radiographers with a higher degree is low compared with nurses and other comparable health professionals. As a consequence, radiographers lack experiences and traditions in running and participation in quality assurance and research studies, both in the radiographic and in the multidisciplinary field. Enhanced skills and knowledge is needed to get involved in research projects. To initiate and perform quality assurance and research projects of high quality is perhaps the best strategy to be able to implement evidence-based radiography and to establish a knowledge base in radiography. The aim of this literature review was to identify and describe research performed by radiographers to prepare a strategy aimed to train and educate the radiographers. Methods: Method The literature search was conducted in known medical databases. Key words were radiography, research, evidence based practice and professional development. The articles that met the inclusion criteria were critically appraised by two readers. Results: Radiographers have a positive attitude to research. The respondents consider enhanced knowledge and increased knowledge as a benefit for the profession and for the individual radiographers. The pressure of performing a high volume of examinations and keeping waiting lists down seems to be the main reason for the lack of academic involvement. 7. EDUCATION 7.1. Workshop in Haiti: Issues and Challenges Presenter: Cynthia Cowling, Monash University, Australia Author: Cynthia Cowling Introduction: In April of 2013, the ISRRT in conjunction with the St Alphonsus Foundation organized two workshops, one in the basics of radiography and one in ultrasound. The ISRRT had become very aware of the many issues around the delivery of medical imaging services in Haiti and had received the report from Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) regarding the needs and obstacles. The workshops were in part an opportunity to see exactly what the issues were. The presentation documents the activities of the workshop and describes the issues and complexities encountered, some common to delivery in any emerging country and some unique to Haiti. It also looks at the issue of downstream follow up of workshop activities through a comparison with another recent ISRRT workshop in Uganda. Methods: Schedules, reports and evaluations from Haiti and Uganda will be shared, analysed and discussed Results: The presentation provides an overview of workshops in emerging nations and queries the long term benefits. The presentation will be of particular interest to individuals or associations who are contemplating the provision of similar workshops in Haiti and elsewhere.
ISRRT | Book Of Abstracts
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