A survey assessment of reporting radiographers' scope of practice in the West Midlands region of the United Kingdom. 2019

B J Stevens
Radiology, Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust, Manor Hospital, Moat Road, Walsall, West Midlands WS2 9PS, UK. Electronic address: barry.stevens@walsallhealthcare.nhs.uk.

Radiographers have been providing reporting solutions for a number of years. Given the persistent radiologist vacancies and the increased demand on imaging services, the utilisation of reporting radiographers is widespread across England. Capacity and demand issues may lead to reporting boundaries being extended. The aim was to generate an updated appraisal of participants' scopes of practice in the West Midlands of region of England. Reporting radiographers at 11 healthcare institutions across the West Midlands region were invited to participate in an online survey. Topics covered included reporting scope of practice, onward referrals and suggestion of treatments. Descriptive statistics were generated in Microsoft Excel and free responses were analysed manually. Response rate was 47% (40/86). The majority (n = 34, 85%) report Emergency Department skeletal examinations, only 12 (30%) report adult chests and only three (8%) report paediatric chests. Of those permitted to refer to other modalities, 85% (n = 23/27) actively do so. Of those permitted to refer to specialist teams, 97% (n = 31/32) actively do so. Only 23% of all participants (n = 9/40) suggest treatments in their reports. An increased number of participants report chest and abdominal examinations than previously identified. Restrictions in paediatric scopes of practice and adult GP chest examinations are also evident. Participants stated they do include recommendations in their reports by referring to other modalities and for specialist opinions. Suggesting treatment is not common practice and is considered an area for further advancement.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D010808 Physical Examination Systematic and thorough inspection of the patient for physical signs of disease or abnormality. Physical Exam,Examination, Physical,Physical Examinations and Diagnoses,Exam, Physical,Examinations, Physical,Exams, Physical,Physical Examinations,Physical Exams
D010818 Practice Patterns, Physicians' Patterns of practice related to diagnosis and treatment as especially influenced by cost of the service requested and provided. Clinical Practice Patterns,Physician's Practice Patterns,Clinical Practice Pattern,Pattern, Clinical Practice,Patterns, Clinical Practice,Practice Pattern, Clinical,Practice Patterns, Clinical,Practice Patterns, Physician's,Prescribing Patterns, Physician,Physician Practice Patterns,Physician Prescribing Pattern,Physician Prescribing Patterns,Physician's Practice Pattern,Physicians' Practice Pattern,Physicians' Practice Patterns,Practice Pattern, Physician's,Practice Pattern, Physicians',Practice Patterns, Physician,Prescribing Pattern, Physician
D011859 Radiography Examination of any part of the body for diagnostic purposes by means of X-RAYS or GAMMA RAYS, recording the image on a sensitized surface (such as photographic film). Radiology, Diagnostic X-Ray,Roentgenography,X-Ray, Diagnostic,Diagnostic X-Ray,Diagnostic X-Ray Radiology,X-Ray Radiology, Diagnostic,Diagnostic X Ray,Diagnostic X Ray Radiology,Diagnostic X-Rays,Radiology, Diagnostic X Ray,X Ray Radiology, Diagnostic,X Ray, Diagnostic,X-Rays, Diagnostic
D011871 Radiology A specialty concerned with the use of x-ray and other forms of radiant energy in the diagnosis and treatment of disease.
D012017 Referral and Consultation The practice of sending a patient to another program or practitioner for services or advice which the referring source is not prepared to provide. Consultation,Gatekeepers, Health Service,Hospital Referral,Second Opinion,Consultation and Referral,Health Service Gatekeepers,Hospital Referrals,Referral,Referral, Hospital,Referrals, Hospital,Consultations,Gatekeeper, Health Service,Health Service Gatekeeper,Opinion, Second,Opinions, Second,Referrals,Second Opinions
D002983 Clinical Competence The capability to perform acceptably those duties directly related to patient care. Clinical Skills,Competence, Clinical,Clinical Competency,Clinical Skill,Competency, Clinical,Skill, Clinical,Skills, Clinical,Clinical Competencies,Competencies, Clinical
D004739 England A part of Great Britain within the United Kingdom.
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000079103 Scope of Practice The services that licensed professionals are deemed competent to perform, and permitted to undertake in keeping with the terms of their professional license. Practice Scope

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