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Faculty of Health Sciences

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Author: search.filters.author.Swindon, Lynda

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    Factors impacting on the retention of radiographers in KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa
    (AFAHPER-SD, 2014) Amusa, L.O.; Thambura, Muchui Julius; Swindon, Lynda
    Staffing crisis in healthcare profession is not only a South African issue, but a global concern. Radiography is also one of the professions affected. According to records from Kwazulu-Natal (KZN) department as at 8th August 2013, there were 427 vacancies in the year 2008, 445 vacancies in 2009, 447 in 2010, 79 vacancies in the year 2011 and 81 vacancies in 2012. The vacancies in 2011 and 2012 were low because the government froze all posts that were not filled. Hospitals are thus understaffed. This study aimed to explore factors impacting on the retention of radiographers in KZN. A quantitative, descriptive survey design was used by completing an online questionnaire. The findings indicate that, in addition to the workload, radiographers were unhappy with salary and remuneration. They also stated that their expectations regarding the profession, careers progression opportunities were hindered. This was as a result of limited opportunities for professional development in the context of a limited scope of practice and over- dependence on the professionals themselves. The issue of scope of practice should be reviewed to align with the career progression which could create greater professional satisfaction and retention of radiographers within the KZN province in South Africa.
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    A survey of South African Radiographers’ and Radiologists’ opinions on role extension for radiographers
    (AFAHPER-SD, 2015-12) Kekana, R.M.; Mathobisa, J.M.; Swindon, Lynda
    Role extension for radiographers in South Africa is driven by the need to improve service delivery challenges and the radiographers’ need for professional recognition. The two areas earmarked for role extension are injection of contrast media and reporting on radiographs. This study was conducted to determine the willingness of diagnostic radiographers to extend their roles and gather the opinions of radiologists regarding this role extension. A quantitative, descriptive, exploratory and cross-sectional study was conducted. A sample of 300 radiographers and 30 radiologists was taken from a population of 7771 radiographers and 885 radiologists as per the Health Professions Council of South Africa register (HPCSA). Survey Monkey was used for making questionnaires accessible to all participants. The level of significance was fixed at 5%. Sixty-eight percent of radiographers agreed in principle to injection of contrast media and only 25.5% agreed to provide a written report on the interpretation of radiographs. Eighty percent of radiologists agreed in principle to radiographers injecting contrast media and only 11.6% agreed to radiographers providing a written report on the interpretation of radiographs. The participants gave an average response of 74.4% on the need for radiologists to take responsibility for the adverse reactions that may results from injecting contrast media. Radiographers and radiologists supported the need for further education and training and role extension for injecting contrast media. There is concern over the ‘no one’ response as to who performs radiologists’ work and how this impacted on service delivery.
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    An analysis of the need for accredited training on the administration of intravenous contrast media by radiographers : results of an online survey
    (The South African Radiographer, 2012) Swindon, Lynda; Friedrich-Nel, Hesta; Isaacs, Ferial; Munro, Leonie
    Role extension has been debated amongst South African radiographers for a number of years. However, the administration of contrast media still remains outside their scope of practice. The Society of Radiographers of South Africa (SORSA) has received anecdotal reports that radiographers are administering contrast media. This practice is a direct infringement of the rights of patients who are required to be treated and examined by health professionals who practice within their legal scope. The aim of this survey was to investigate the views and opinions of South African radiographers regarding the injecting of contrast media and the type of training needed if it were included in the scope of practice of South African radiographers. A questionnaire was sent to 845 radiographers using an online survey programme (SurveyMonkey). The questions related to biographical information, work experience, training and the medico-legal aspects of intravenous contrast media injection by radiographers. The response rate was 21% (n=177). Eighty-one percent (81%) were diagnostic radiographers. Seventy-three percent (73%) practice radiography in a major city. There was an equal representation of the public and private sector, namely 43% for both. Of those from the public sector 47% were from a tertiary healthcare facility. More than seventy-eight percent (>78%) practice radiography in a health facility that provides radiology services. Seventy-three percent (73%) were aware of mild to moderate adverse reactions to contrast media; 45% were aware of severe adverse reactions to contrast media in their workplace. Eighty-five percent (85%) thought that accredited training should include the administration of contrast media as well as resuscitation of a patient. Sixty-two percent (62%) thought the accredited training should include pharmacology and advanced resuscitation. Ninety-three percent (93%) thought the main advantage would be an increase in service delivery to patients; 85% thought the main disadvantage would be potential risk of criminal or civil litigation. Ninety-seven percent (97%) were of the opinion that radiographers who introduce contrast media to patients must have current malpractice insurance. The results of this survey provide new information on the current status of contrast media administration to the patient whose safety and rights remain at the centre of our focus. It is recommended that the statutory body, namely the professional board for radiography and clinical technology (RCT) of the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) takes cognizance of the outcome of this study and embarks on a more extensive survey to include a larger sample which would be more representative of the South African radiography population.