The radiologist assistant: what radiologists need to know now. 2007

Paul H Ellenbogen, and Thomas R Hoffman, and Bradley W Short, and Ariel Gonzalez
Department of Radiology, Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas, Dallas, Tex 75231, USA. paulellenbogen@texashealth.org

States are increasingly considering legislative and regulatory avenues to establish the role of radiologist assistants (RAs) under current state medical practice acts or state radiation control regulatory programs. It is critical that radiology practices be cautious to comply with federal and state laws and regulations to ensure that these advanced practice professionals provide the appropriate services under the appropriate level of supervision. For quality-of-care reasons, the ACR remains concerned about the scope of practice of radiology practitioner assistants and some misinformation that has spread to state officials about the assistants' role in radiology practice. Another potential source of confusion may be the fact that physician assistants and nurse practitioners are being increasingly used in many areas of health care (including radiology) and may derive delegated authority (from physicians) to perform services that physicians determine nurse practitioners or physician assistants to be qualified to perform. The authors in particular emphasize current federal and state legislative activities and describe possible exposure and risks associated with the extension of the scope of practice by radiologic technologists without commensurate changes in state statutes and regulations.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D011871 Radiology A specialty concerned with the use of x-ray and other forms of radiant energy in the diagnosis and treatment of disease.
D000078329 Workforce The number of people working or available for work or service. Human Resources,Labor Supply,Manpower,Staffing,Womanpower,Human Resource,Labor Supplies,Manpowers,Staffings,Supply, Labor,Womanpowers,Workforces
D012955 Societies, Medical Societies whose membership is limited to physicians. Medical Societies,Medical Society,Society, Medical
D013679 Technology, Radiologic The application of scientific knowledge or technology to the field of radiology. The applications center mostly around x-ray or radioisotopes for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes but the technological applications of any radiation or radiologic procedure is within the scope of radiologic technology. Radiologic Technology,Technology, Radiological,Radiological Technology
D017410 Practice Guidelines as Topic Works about directions or principles presenting current or future rules of policy for assisting health care practitioners in patient care decisions regarding diagnosis, therapy, or related clinical circumstances. The guidelines may be developed by government agencies at any level, institutions, professional societies, governing boards, or by the convening of expert panels. The guidelines form a basis for the evaluation of all aspects of health care and delivery. Clinical Guidelines as Topic,Best Practices,Best Practice

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