Spanish radiographers’ concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic

IntroductionThe current outbreak of COVID-19 has caused worldwide healthcare and social emergency in which healthcare professionals were under extreme work conditions while being fearful of becoming infected or spreading the disease to their relatives. The perceived threat of COVID-19 has the potential to cause severe psychological maladjustment. The aim of the study is to explore Spanish radiographers’ concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsThis study was quantitative, observational and cross-sectional. The sample was made up of 546 radiographers working in Spain during the outbreak. The instrument used for analysis was an ad hoc questionnaire with socio-demographic questions and the questionnaire on perception of threat from COVID-19 validate to spanish healthcare professionals.ResultsThe sample consisted of 70.1% of female, 29.7% of male and 0.2% undeclare sex participants. The results showed a high level of a perceived threat from COVID-19 (7.57 ± 0.088), furthermore we observed a high level of threat about the possibility of infecting family members (8.49 ± 0.25), patients (8.33 ± 0.086), and coworkers (8.35 ± 0.084). Furthermore, females have a higher level of a perception of threat to spread infection between patients (r = ?0.136; p = 0.001) and coworkers (r = ?0.118; p = 0.006), than males.ConclusionCOVID-19 pandemic is perceived as a serious threat, being especially concerned about the threat of spreading the infection to family, coworkers, and patients. The perception of risk depends partly on professionals’ gender and family responsibilities.Implications for practiceOur findings suggest that it is recommended that healthcare professionals receive formation to reinforce and improve their emotional competencies for coping successfully with potentially stressful situations like COVI19 pandemic.     

The Impact of COVID-19 on Medical Dosimetry Education: Students’ Perception on the Effectiveness of Program's Immediate Response

In early 2020, many medical dosimetry programs began to offer lectures and clinical rotations remotely in response to COVID-19. Faculty instituted an IRB-approved study to investigate the effectiveness of medical dosimetry educational programs’ immediate response to COVID-19 and modifications to teaching practices during the pandemic. The Program Response to COVID-19 Effectiveness Questionnaire (PRCEQ) survey was developed to measure students’ perceptions of their learning experience during COVID-19. The subject of the study was the medical dosimetry current and former student population who received modified education delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study suggests that generally students are satisfied with the quality of their virtual didactic and clinical education as well as communication between faculty and students and students to students. Programs should develop strategies to engage students during the virtual classes to motivate them to learn; utilize a variety of formats for the evaluation of students’ learning, incorporate activities to help students make connections with real-world clinical situations, and schedule clinical visits for students to learn tasks that require their physical presence in clinic.     

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the activity of the Radiological Emergency Department: the experience of the Maggiore della Carità Hospital in Novara

Emergency Radiology - During the first peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the activity of Emergency Departments worldwide changed dramatically, focusing on diagnosis and care of the Sars-Cov-2...     

Formative feedback in the clinical practice setting: What are the perceptions of student radiographers?

The role of feedback to a learner's development has been well established. There is an absence of studies relating to student radiographers experience of gaining and applying formative feedback. This study investigated processes involved in gaining written formative feedback in the clinical practice setting as well as the impact feedback had on student radiographers learning.The data was collected from radiography students at two higher education institutions by electronic questionnaire comprising scaled and open questions. There was a response rate of 37% (n = 103/279). Scaled data was analysed using inferential statistics and the qualitative data helped explain the findings.The majority of students recognised radiographers were frequently busy; resulting in feedback that is generic and not always timely. There is strength of opinion 82.6% (n = 85/103) that student radiographers do not work with any one radiographer consistently enough to enable the provision of constructive and meaningful feedback. There appears to be difficulty in obtaining the comments but the evidence shows they are valued.The majority of students seek feedback that is specific and will clearly identify areas for development. They reflect on feedback as well as use self-criticism of their practice performance indicating the development of autonomous skills.The challenge of enabling consistent one to one working with radiographers, the need to maximise a learning culture within practice environments and ensuring full engagement by radiographers and students could be addressed by modification of the feedback system, a working group being formed from students, supervising radiographers and academic tutors.     

Modifications to mobile chest radiography technique during the COVID-19 pandemic – implications of X-raying through side room windows

IntroductionModifications to common radiographic techniques have resulted from the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. Reports exist regarding the potential benefits of undertaking mobile radiography through side room windows. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact on image quality and exposure factors when undertaking such examinations.MethodsA phantom based study was undertaken using a digital X-ray room. Control acquisitions, using a commercially available image quality test tool, were performed using standard mobile chest radiography acquisition factors. Image quality (physical and visual), incidence surface air kerma (ISAK), Exposure Index (EI) and Deviation Index (DI) were recorded. Image quality and radiation dose were further assessed for two additional (experimental) scenarios, where a side room window was located immediately adjacent to the exit port of the light beam diaphragm. The goal of experimental scenario one was to modify exposure factors to maintain the control ISAK. The goal of experimental scenario two was to modify exposure factors to maintain the control EI and DI. Dose and image quality data were compared between the three scenarios.ResultsTo maintain the pre-window (control) ISAK (76 μGy), tube output needed a three-fold increase (90 kV/4 mAs versus 90 kV/11.25 mAs). To maintain EI/DI a more modest increase in tube output was required (90 kV/8 mAs/ISAK 54 μGy). Physical and visual assessments of spatial resolution and signal-to-noise ratio were indifferent between the three scenarios. There was a slight statistically significant reduction in contrast-to-noise ratio when imaging through the glass window (2.3 versus 1.4 and 1.2; P = 0.005).ConclusionUndertaking mobile X-ray examinations through side room windows is potentially feasible but does require an increase in tube output and is likely to be limited by minor reductions in image quality.Implications for practiceMobile examinations performed through side room windows should only be used in limited circumstances and future clinical evaluation of this technique is warranted.     

Do the benefits of exercise in indoor and outdoor environments during the COVID-19 pandemic outweigh the risks of infection?

Sport Sciences for Health -     

Impact on Participants of Family Connect,a Novel Program Linking COVID-19 Inpatients’ Families With the Frontline Providers

PurposeWith clinical volumes decreased, radiologists volunteered to participate virtually in daily clinical rounds and provide communication between frontline physicians and patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and their families affected by restrictive hospital visitation policies. The purpose of this survey-based assessment was to demonstrate the beneficial effects of radiologist engagement during this pandemic and potentially in future crises if needed.MethodsAfter the program’s completion, a survey consisting of 13 multiple-choice and open-ended questions was distributed to the 69 radiologists who volunteered for a minimum of 7 days. The survey focused on how the experience would change future practice, the nature of interaction with medical students, and the motivation for volunteering. The electronic medical record system identified the patients who tested positive for or were suspected of having COVID-19 and the number of notes documenting family communication.ResultsIn all, 69 radiologists signed or cosigned 7,027 notes. Of the 69 radiologists, 60 (87.0%) responded to the survey. All found the experience increased their understanding of COVID-19 and its effect on the health care system. Overall, 59.6% agreed that participation would result in future change in communication with patients and their families. Nearly all (98.1%) who worked with medical students agreed that their experience with medical students was rewarding. A majority (82.7%) chose to participate as a way to provide service to the patient population.ConclusionThis program provided support to frontline inpatient teams while also positively affecting the radiologist participants. If a similar situation arises in the future, this communication tool could be redeployed, especially with the collaboration of medical students.     

Reflections on the role of consultant radiographers in the UK: What is a consultant radiographer?

ContextThis paper is the second paper from a two year in depth case study, exploring the role of consultant radiographers in the UK.MethodsA longitudinal case study approach was used to determine the role of consultant radiographers. Interviews were used to explore experiences of being a consultant, which were analysed using thematic analysis.Eight consultant radiographers participated (Note, two of the consultants withdrew after the first interview due to workload). Therefore two consultants were interviewed only once. The remaining six consultants were interviewed twice over a 12 month period.FindingsThe data presented in this paper explores the nature of the role, differences between roles, the four domains of practice, and how the role fits into local organisational structures.The study shows wide variation in the types of roles undertaken, reflecting that the creation of these roles were in response to local clinical need and often related to an individual practitioner's skills. The broad scope of the role was shown across all the consultants, with evidence of roles developing into new areas of service delivery.ConclusionsThe paper offers insight into the role(s) of consultant radiographers in the UK. The range and scope of their practice is extensive, with much variation. It is evident that the clinical aspect of the role dominates, with research being the least supported domain of practice. There remains a lack of clarity around the role, with concerns about remuneration and other limitations that may restrict the role developing further.     

To keep or reject,that is the question - A survey on radiologists and radiographers’ assessments of plain radiography images

IntroductionThis study aimed to survey radiographers and radiologists' assessment of plain radiographs to identify the imaging clinicians’ differences in acceptance of image quality.MethodAn online, questionnaire was distributed among radiographers (n = 116) and radiologists (n = 76) in a hospital trust in Norway, including 30 clinical cases (one image and a short referral text) that were divided into 3 categories; keep, could keep and reject, based on European guidelines. When rejecting, the respondents identified the main reason by ticking a list (positioning, collimation, centering, artifact or exposure error). Group differences were explored using 2-tailed chi-squared test. Inter-subjectivity was measured using Cohen's kappa for multi-rater sample.ResultsIn total, 36% of the radiographers (n = 42) and 14% of the radiologists (n = 14) responded to the survey. Total response rate was 30% (56/192). Analysis showed significant difference between radiographers and radiologists in the categories of Reject (χ² = 6.3, df = 1, p = 0.01), and Could keep (χ² = 6.3, df = 1, p = 0.01), identifying radiologists as keeping more images compared to radiographers. Agreement among radiographers (Cohen's κ: 0,39; 95% CI: 0.30–0.48; p < 0.001) and radiologists (Cohen's κ: 0,23; 95% CI: 0.09–0.37; p < 0.001) respectively, is fair. The most common reason for rejecting an image is suboptimal positioning. Suboptimal collimation constituted 15% of the rejected images among radiographers, compared to 5% among radiologists. Centering, artifacts and exposure error showed quite similar rates as reasons for rejection.ConclusionRadiographers and radiologists seem to agree on the assessment of good quality images, however, radiographers seem more reluctant to accept images of lower quality than radiologists.Implications for practiceFurther research on reasons for differences in image quality assessment between radiographers and radiologists is needed. This could enable reduction in reject rates and increase image quality in conventional X-ray examinations.     

Perceptions on activity behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic “second wave” among US adults: results of a short online survey

Sport Sciences for Health - COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the lives of people of all nations. This study examined physical activity (PA) behavior, barriers and facilitators to PA during the...     

Postural motor learning in Parkinson’s disease: The effect of practice on continuous compensatory postural regulation

IntroductionAlthough balance training is considered the most effective treatment for balance impairments in Parkinson’s disease (PD), few studies have examined if learning for balance control remains intact with PD. This study aimed to determine if learning for automatic postural responses is preserved in people with PD.MethodsEleven participants with moderate PD (68 ± 6.4 years; H&Y: 2–3) on their usual medication maintained balance on a platform that oscillated forward and backward with variable amplitude and constant frequency. Participants completed 42 trials during one training session, and retention and transfer tests following a 24-h delay. Performance was measured by comparing spatial and temporal measures of whole-body centre of mass (COM) with platform displacements. Learning was compared between participants with PD and previously reported, age-matched older adults (Van Ooteghem et al., 2010).ResultsAlthough postural responses in participants with PD were impaired compared to control participants, a majority of PD participants improved their postural responses with practice as revealed by reduced COM displacements and improved phase relationships between COM and platform motion. Rates of improvement were comparable between groups demonstrating preserved adaptive capacity for participants with PD. Similar to control participants, the PD group moved toward anticipatory COM control as a strategy for improving stability, exhibited short-term retention of performance improvements, and demonstrated generalizability of the learned responses. Rate of improvement with practice, but not retention, was related to severity of motor impairments.ConclusionsPatients with moderate PD on medication demonstrate retention of improvements in automatic postural responses with practice suggesting that intrinsic postural motor learning is preserved in this group.     

Impact of the COVID pandemic on emergency department CT utilization: where do we go from here?

Emergency Radiology - To analyze the impact of the coronavirus disease (COVID) pandemic on emergency department (ED) computed tomography (CT) utilization. A retrospective observational study was...