The role of the physician extender in radiology

This article examines the role of the radiology practitioner assistant (RPA), a physician extender first defined in the 1970s. The purpose of the research was to determine RPAs' accuracy in recognizing abnormal image patterns and their ability to independently perform gastrointestinal fluoroscopic procedures. The results support previous research indicating that technologists with additional education, training and radiologist supervision can detect abnormal image patterns and perform fluoroscopy successfully.     

The role of diagnostic radiology in pancreatitis

Acute pancreatitis is a frequent inflammatory and necrotic process of pancreas and peripancreatic field. To detect the presence of infected or sterile necrotic components and hemorrhage of the pancreatic paranchyma is important for therapeutic approach. Chronic pancreatitis is characterized by irreversible exocrine dysfunction, progressive loss of pancreatic tissue and morphological changes of the pancreatic canal. Imaging modalities play a primary role in the management of both acute and cronic pancreatitis. CT and MR imaging confirm the diagnosis and detect the severity of disease. In chronic pancreatitis, MRCP after Secretin administration, Spiral CT and endoscopic US seems to replace diagnostic ERCP. However differentiation of pseudotumor of chronic pancreatitis from the pancreatic carcinoma is difficult with either imaging modalities.     

The role of the nurse in the millennium

The paper emphasizes the changing role of the nurse in the millenium. The changes will be in three basic fields: 1. Education: In education, the criteria for acceptance to nursing school will become higher, so that the requirement for trained nurses will increase. The new nurse will be focused on the role of management and leadership. 2. Service: The nursing service will be the guider which will lead the discipline of nursing treatment via knowledge, new nursing technologies and new managing techniques. The service will change the professional independence of the nurse into full partner and collaborator with other professions. 3. Community: The new nurses role will be derived from a new concept of "health for all" which will lead to a wider view of the entire community. Management will be the major qualification needed by the community nurse, using judgement, advanced knowledge and the ability of decision making and determining priorities. The nurse will have to fit her abilities and qualifications to the changes needed, using authority, responsibility and advanced knowledge.     

The role of interventional radiology in trauma

Introduction Interventional Radiology has evolved into a specialty having enormous input into the care of the traumatized patient.In all hospitals,regardless of size,the Interventional Radiologist must consider their relationships with the trauma service in order to     

The role of radiology in dive-related disorders

Recreational scuba diving has continued to grow in popularity in the past several decades, and military diving remains an integral part of ship husbandry, explosives and ordinance disposal, and special warfare. Although relatively uncommon, disorders such as decompression sickness and arterial gas embolism can be fatal, whereas disorders such as ear baro-trauma and dysbaric osteonecrosis are not fatal but can cause significant morbidity. An extensive literature search was performed to comprehensively examine the current role of diagnostic radiology with respect to diving medicine. In selected cases, diagnostic imaging can be of potential benefit for evaluation. Diagnostic imaging plays a useful role in the screening of certain individuals for future fitness to dive. Radiological imaging has also been of paramount importance in postmortem evaluation of dive casualties.     

Patient education: using a radiology nurse

Employment of a radiology nurse in the patient education program of a 300-bed community hospital helps protect patients' rights and promotes efficient patient care. It has been shown to enhance efficient use of hospital services and to increase physician support, staff satisfaction, and patient satisfaction, while increasing community support for the hospitals.     

The role of radiology in the management of systemic sclerosis

Systemic sclerosis is a multisystem connective tissue disorder. Radiology plays an integral part in its management, guiding the clinician concerning the onset and severity of visceral involvement. After skin involvement, the gastrointestinal tract is the most commonly affected system; contrast radiography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) play a role in diagnosis. Non-specific interstitial pneumonia is the most frequent respiratory disease and high-resolution computed tomography (CT) is the cornerstone of management. In common with other rheumatic disorders, the role of cardiac MRI is expanding. Radiography remains the main technique in the investigation of skeletal involvement, although MRI is useful as a problem-solving tool. Neurological involvement is increasingly recognized and the major role of radiology is the exclusion of coexistent pathology. We present a thorough review of the role of radiology in the management of systemic sclerosis.     

The role of the radiology administrator in radiography education.

The rapidly changing nature of allied health and radiologic technology education has negated much of the former role of the radiology administrator in radiologic technology education. This article attempts to define a meaningful role for the administrator in radiologic technology education.