Faculty of Health Sciences

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Knowledge, clinical competencies and medico legal responsibilities required by diagnostic radiographers for the interpretation of radiographs
(2022-09-29) Budhu, Reshel; Nkosi, Pauline Busisiwe; Khoza, Thandokuhle Emmanuel
In SA, image interpretation and reporting by diagnostic radiographers have yet to be validated. Currently, the only training exposure and formalized education that diagnostic radiography students get in the four-year undergraduate degree relates to pattern recognition and pathological conditions However, a review of the regulations on the scope of practice of radiographers is currently being undertaken by the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) to include formal reporting in South Africa. Aim The aim of the study was to explore the knowledge, clinical competencies and medico-legal responsibilities required by diagnostic radiographers for the interpretation of radiographs and ultimately, to recommend training guidelines for radiographers in the interpretation of radiographic images. Methodology A qualitative descriptive study employing criterion sampling of qualified radiologists practicing within the eThekwini district of KZN province was conducted. Ethics approval to perform this study was obtained from the Durban University of Technology’s (DUT’s) Institutional Research Ethics Committee (IREC). All the participants were contacted in their personal capacity. The research tool used for this study was face-to-face, one-on-one, semi-structured and in-depth interviews, which included various questions related to radiographic image interpretation. The data from the interviews were analysed by the researcher using Tesch’s eight steps for analysing qualitative data. Moreover, all the data obtained from this research study was kept confidential and under password protection by the researcher. Findings Findings reveal that Radiologists support the interpretation of radiographic images by radiographers in rural settings, and for the radiographer’s scope of practice to be restructured to include the chest and the musculoskeletal system. Extension in the scope of practice would result in increased job satisfaction, as the overall costs, rates and turnaround time will be affected if radiographers interpret images. Moreover, image interpretation training should begin 3-5 years post degree. An in-depth knowledge of anatomy, radiological anatomy and pathophysiology is required to understand pattern recognition during image interpretation. The training would be between 6 months and 5 years. Findings also indicated that there should be continuous monitoring and accreditation for image interpretation courses, with accreditation being in the form of a diploma for each system, a degree or a certificate of competence. Assessments for image interpretation should be carried out by radiologists. The participants of this study found that clinical competency for radiographers who are performing image interpretation has to do with the assessment of the patient, with assessment determining the history, the background, the past medical history of relevance and the current presenting symptoms. The study also suggested that apart from having stringent criteria for radiographers entering the image interpretation course, radiographers must be able to triage patients and all assessments should be done by a radiologist. The findings also indicated that no harm is to be done to the patient; patient information must not be disclosed to others; radiographers should be covered in the event of adverse outcomes when interpreting images; there should be decision-making regarding the radiologic/radiographic report; and the rights of a healthcare provider are to be protected.
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.
Role extension : the needs, perceptions and experiences of South African radiographers in primary health care
(SORSA, 2012-05) Gqweta, Ntokozo
Escalating current health needs coupled with the dire shortage of radiologists saw many countries abroad, led by the United Kingdom, adopting radiography role extension. Radiography role extension is a practice whereby radiographers adopt duties that were previously only within the scope of practice of radiologist. This study aimed to evaluate the need, the perceptions and the lived experiences of radiographers working in primary health care with reference to radiography role extension. An interpretive qualitative research approach was utilised in trying to understand lived experiences of radiographers working in primary health care (PHC) institutions in Cape Town. A questionnaire was utilised as the data collection tool. An analysis of the qualitative data revealed six themes; (i) medico legal aspects, (ii) education, (iii) newly qualified and inexpe-rienced medical officers, (v) improving service delivery, (vi) the radiographers’ experience, and (vii) benefits of reporting radiog-raphers. It was concluded that there is evidence to support the need for radiographers to extend their roles into report writing within the PHC level. The benefits of this would be improved service delivery and optimum utilisation of the radiographers’ skills and knowledge.

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