Changing the model of radiography practice: Challenges of role advancement and future needs for radiographers working in the UAE

IntroductionThe radiographers' role in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is focused on image acquisition with a willingness to accept advanced practice roles after appropriate education and training. Radiographers working in the UAE are highly motivated and ambitious to achieve those internationally identified levels of professional recognition and opportunities for role advancement. This study investigates the radiographers’ perspectives, perceptions and hopes for role advancement in the UAE.MethodsA qualitative research study design using Focus Group Discussions (FGD) was used to elicit the perceptions of radiographers. Participants were radiographers working in the hospitals and clinics supervised by the Ministry of Health and Prevention. Participants were asked about the recognized tasks defined as advancement roles, needs for roles clinically, challenges and requirements to prepare radiographers to participate in extended/developed roles. The discussions were audio recorded and later transcribed by an independent research assistant. Thematic analysis was used for data analysisResults29 radiographers participated in the FGDs, and 83% (n = 24) were interested in role advancement. FGD revealed that their current practice showed some informal extended role that may promote career progression. The most significant challenges identified by participants was their knowledge level as provided by the current curriculum and the need for education and licensing body support to accommodate change.ConclusionThe study identified a need for education and licensing body support to enable change in roles by radiographers, through improving radiographer knowledge and experience for role advancement.Implications for practiceTo sustain role advancement, formal intense training and education are necessary, normally above bachelor's degree level. Furthermore, establishing standards, licensing organizations/professional bodies should be part of the transformation of the profession to enable internationally recognized models to be followed.     

Experiences of diagnostic radiographers through the Covid-19 pandemic

IntroductionDiagnostic Radiography plays a major role in the diagnosis and management of patients with Covid-19. This has seen an increase in the demand for imaging services, putting pressure on the workforce. Diagnostic radiographers, as with many other healthcare professions, have been on the frontline, dealing with an unprecedented situation. This research aimed to explore the experience of diagnostic radiographers working clinically during the Covid-19 pandemic.MethodsInfluenced by interpretative phenomenology, this study explored the experiences of diagnostic radiographers using virtual focus group interviews as a method of data collection.ResultsData were analysed independently by four researchers and five themes emerged from the data. Adapting to new ways of working, feelings and emotions, support mechanisms, self-protection and resilience, and professional recognition.ConclusionThe adaptability of radiographers came across strongly in this study. Anxieties attributed to the provision of personal protective equipment (PPE), fear of contracting the virus and spreading it to family members were evident. The resilience of radiographers working throughout this pandemic came across strongly throughout this study. A significant factor for coping has been peer support from colleagues within the workplace. The study highlighted the lack of understanding of the role of the radiographer and how the profession is perceived by other health care professionals.Implications for practiceThis study highlights the importance of interprofessional working and that further work is required in the promotion of the profession.     

The impact of major occupational injuries on professional reintegration. A Portuguese medico-legal contribution

Occupational injuries represent an enormous economic impact for victims, respective families, involved institutions and all the community due to professional outcomes. Thus, it is of the utmost importance that medico-legal personal injury assessment and the posterior follow-up of these victims, may allow their concrete damage repair, considering the victims' needs fulfilment and professional reintegration, whenever possible. The main objective of this study is to reflect on the role that legal medicine can play in promoting the professional reintegration of victims of major occupational accidents through the analysis of occupational injuries cases considering the medico-legal examinations performed. A retrospective study was conducted using medico-legal major occupational injuries cases (Partial Permanent Disability ≥40%). Data were collected from two medico-legal assessment moments: (a) personal injury assessment homologated by a labour court 4.8 years on average after occupational injury; (b) medico-legal follow-up for needs and/or Partial Permanent Disability adjustments performed 18.9 years on average after occupational injury. The final sample includes 103 cases. The results showed that in major occupational accidents, permanent long-term outcomes were principally associated with neurological (62.1%) and orthopaedic (52.4%) sequelae. Permanent professional damage parameters assigned by the labour court included Partial Permanent Disability (23.3%), Permanent Absolute Disability for Regular Work (41.7%) and Permanent Absolute Disability for Any Work (35%). Three-dimensional methodology is helpful in predicting Partial Permanent Disability and Permanent Absolute Disability for Any Work. However, three-dimensional methodology did not reveal correlations with Permanent Absolute Disability for Regular Work, and currently 65% of the victims who were considered able to work by the labour court are not professionally active. Thus, these major cases deserve a more detailed medico-legal approach based on concrete information about the professional reality of each victim, especially cases with an eventual Permanent Absolute Disability for Regular Work. Medico-legal Injury Assessment must be based on concrete aspects of the victim's professional reality and not only on permanent disability tables. This calls for an articulation between all institutions working with the victim of occupational injuries and legal medicine to promote recovery and the necessary measures to assure professional rehabilitation.     

Creating global health leaders in pharmacy by evolving postgraduate training

There has been a push for increasing global health education and training opportunities within the pharmacy profession. Global health postgraduate learning opportunities are necessary to define pharmacy career paths in global health and develop global health leaders. There are many challenges to starting a global health postgraduate training program including economic burden, logistics of extramural rotations, local and international resources, and program sustainability. In the face of barriers inhibiting formal program establishment, different strategies can be used to incorporate global health topics into existing postgraduate training opportunities. Possible solutions include relating local health to global health to develop a global mindset, expanding upon existing partnerships to provide international global health experiences, use of technology and simulation for virtual global health interaction, and emphasis of implementation science principles to connect and translate local health interventions to a global scale.     

护理领域中可信赖专业活动的范围综述

目的 对护理可信赖专业活动研究进行范围审查,探索护理可信赖专业活动的制订和应用的现状。 方法 以范围综述方法为框架,检索万方、中国知网、维普和Sinomed、PubMed、CINAHL、Web of Science、Wiley-Blackwell及灰色文献数据库,采用主题分析法对所纳入的文献内容进行主题归类。 结果 最终纳入12篇文献,共产生4个主题和8个亚主题,分别为可信赖专业活动概念、护理可信赖专业活动制订方法及可信赖等级、护理可信赖度影响因素和评价方法、发展方向与建议。 结论 护理可信赖专业活动充分体现了胜任力教育中能力获得的层级和过程,使胜任力教育评价在不同医疗和教育机构间得到统一,目前护理可信赖专业活动研究较少,且分布不均衡,未来护理可信赖专业活动研究可成为护理胜任力教育中的重要方向。     

Interprofessional Education and the Diagnostic Radiography curriculum: Students’ perceived value of a case-based,whole day activity

IntroductionThis study aimed to examine Diagnostic Radiography (DR) students’ perceptions and attitudes towards the Health Collaboration Challenge (HCC), as an interprofessional learning opportunity.MethodsDR students participated in the HCC, an annual intensive interprofessional collaboration and assessment activity involving case-based learning. Students' attitudes towards Interprofessional Education (IPE) were measured using a modified version of the Interprofessional Socialisation and Valuing Scale (ISVS-21) and a bespoke questionnaire with items relating to the HCC. Subsequent focus groups explored students’ experience of IPE within the HCC context.ResultsSurvey results (n = 30) suggested a mostly positive attitude towards IPE alongside other health care students, acknowledging the value of interprofessional teams in patient health care. Qualitative themes from focus group participants (n = 8) revealed that DR students, while appreciating the value of shared-decision making, found the HCC assessment distracting. Challenges included the intensive nature of the HCC, roles that DR students undertook in addressing assessment criteria, case complexity and opportunities for DR students to showcase their knowledge.ConclusionResults suggest that the intensive and assessable nature of the HCC can overshadow the value of IPE for DR students, and immersive or staggered approaches to IPE could better align with DR professionals’ unique role within the patient care spectrum.Implications for practiceRevised IPE models for DR students could include a more immersive environment, conducted over a longer period of time, with meetings at semi-regular intervals to promote an interprofessional-focus over a task-focus approach.     

Changing the model of radiography practice in the UAE: A snapshot of a profession in transition

IntroductionThis study forms part of a needs assessment in relation to the challenges United Arab Emirates (UAE) radiographers face as they move beyond the role of a technician, and their learning needs to facilitate role advancement. It presents a snapshot of the workforce in terms of qualifications, clinical experience, and responsibilities, as it transitions towards an Emirati, led profession. The results will aid the radiography workforce to embrace a broader role within medical imaging and radiographic practice in the UAE.MethodsAn electronically distributed cross-sectional study was conducted among radiographers in the UAE. The questionnaire captured radiographer demographics, qualifications, professional experience, postgraduate training, professional development plans, and their interest in future role developments.Results272 radiographers were invited to participate with a response rate of 68% (n = 185). Thirty-four (18%) radiographers were UAE nationals with the remainder educated overseas. BSc qualifications were held by 153 (82.7%) and had 6–20 years of experience. There were 12 masters’ qualified and two with doctoral qualifications. Modality vendors were significant providers of professional development. Improved job satisfaction and the development of an Emirati led radiography profession were identified as the main gains for role advancement by 171 (92.4%) respondents.ConclusionCurrently, UAE radiographers work within traditional professional boundaries focussing on image acquisition under direct radiologist supervision. At the same time, many respondents revealed they had embraced advanced practice roles after appropriate education and training.Implications for practiceThe findings suggest an Emirati led profession requires the creation of a distinct professional body to represent the interests of radiographers, more investment in postgraduate education, and the creation of a career structure that encompasses positive role development.     

本科护生不确定压力与职业自我效能的相关性研究

目的探讨本科护生职业自我效能的现状,分析不确定压力对护生职业自我效能的影响。方法采取整群便利抽样法,2020年4月10—17日,选取浙江省4所高校1526名护理本科生为研究对象。采用护生一般情况问卷、护生职业自我效能问卷(PSQNS)及不确定压力问卷对其进行横断面调查。采用多重线性回归分析护生职业自我效能的影响因素。共发放问卷1526份,回收有效问卷1474份,有效回收率为96.6%。结果1474名本科护生PSQNS总分为(91.10±14.11)分,条目均分为(3.37±0.52)分,得分率为67.48%,处于中等水平。多重线性回归分析结果显示,护理专业喜爱程度、不确定压力、在校学业成绩、选择护理专业原因及家庭经济状况是本科护生职业自我效能的影响因素(P<0.05),可解释33.4%的变异。结论本科护生的职业自我效能有待提升;护理教育者可以通过降低护生的不确定压力,提高其职业自我效能。     

Do various degrees of tooth decalcification affect orthodontists', general dentists' and laypersons' ratings of smile esthetics?

ObjectivesTo compare the effect of various degrees of decalcification after orthodontic treatment (white spot lesions) on orthodontists'', general dentists'', and laypersons'' ratings of smile esthetics.Materials and MethodsEight photographs representing incrementally altered tooth decalcification lesions of maxillary anterior teeth ranging from mild to severe were shown randomly to the study participants. Photographs were rated by a matched sample of orthodontists (N = 42), general dentists (N = 52), and laypeople (N = 58). A visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to assess perceptions of smile esthetics.ResultsThe three groups of raters could distinguish between different decalcification levels. Raters gave more negative scores as the decalcification level increased.ConclusionsThe three groups of raters were able to distinguish between various degrees of decalcification lesions. General dentists were the most critical of all groups when rating decalcification lesions.     

协会网络发布正颌外科患者健康教育材料的现状与分析

目的:深入了解并分析国内外专业协会网络发布正颌外科患者健康教育材料的现状,为优化我国牙颌面畸形患者教育材料提供参考。方法:于2019年6月通过网络搜索,筛选国内外口腔颌面外科、正畸与整形外科专业协会网络发布的正颌外科患者教育材料,由2名研究者独立采用内容分析法,通过Nvivo 12.0软件提取健康教育内容与协会基本资料进行分析。结果:纳入13家口腔颌面外科、正畸及整形外科医师协会,涉及8个国家,教育材料形式多样,教育内容分析得出18项主题,概述了正颌-正畸联合治疗,细化了正颌外科的治疗与护理内容。结论:多国专业医师协会发布了正颌外科患者教育材料,大部分教育内容达成共识,少量主题仍需进一步探讨,有待于进一步融合多学科专业知识,逐步优化、形成适合我国正颌外科患者的教育材料。未来鼓励更多协会参与网络发布健康教育材料,更多口腔医务工作者积极开展相关研究,提高口腔健康教育的可及性,促进多学科合作与发展。