Opportunities and aspirations of diagnostic radiographers within advanced practice

Abstract

Background: Radiography has a strong history of role development. One well-established area is the interpretation (reporting) of diagnostic images. Although perceived by many to operate at the advanced level, increasing clarity within the profession means it is important to ascertain whether individuals understand their level and the potential for development. While prior studies have considered role implementation and impact, there has been limited exploration of individual expectation and aspiration for role development. Aims: To ascertain the perspectives of radiographers in established and developing image reporting roles across one imaging network in England, to enable reflection upon role utilisation and aspirations of future development. Methods: Radiographers across a single integrated care system in the north of England and working and/or training within projection radiography (X-ray) reporting roles were invited to participate in online focus groups. Anonymous demographic information, including postgraduate qualifications and scope of practice, was also collected. Results: This study highlighted varied utilisation of radiographers in image reporting, despite scopes of practice being similar. For the majority, roles were not meeting personal expectations, and lack of clarity was negatively impacting job satisfaction. Challenging clinical environments and staffing deficits were common barriers highlighted. Conclusion: Inconsistent implementation has the potential to negatively impact service delivery and capacity. Such variation affects staff satisfaction and morale. Employers should ensure expectations are realistic and that support mechanisms enable consistent development.