Poster KIM voor de ECR is nu online te zien via EPOS: https://epos.myesr.org/poster/esr/ecr2022/C-16092 posternummer: C-16092, ECR 2022 Purpose Artificial Intelligence (AI) has developed at high speed the last few years and will substantially change various disciplines (1,2). These changes are also noticeable in the field of radiology, nuclear medicine and radiotherapy. However, the focus of attention has mainly been on the radiologist profession, whereas the role of the radiographer has been largely ignored (3). As long as AI for radiology was focused on image recognition and diagnosis, the little attention for the radiographer might be justifiable. But with AI becoming more and more a part of the workflow management, treatment planning and image reconstruction for example, the work of the radiographer will change. However, their training (courses Medical Imaging and Radiotherapeutic Techniques) hardly contain any AI education. Radiographers in the Netherlands are therefore not prepared for changes that will come with the introduction of AI into everyday work.
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Introduction: The Netherlands does not have a national guideline for performing radiographic examinations on pregnant patients. Radiographic examination is a generic term for all examinations performed using ionizing radiation, including but not limited to radiographs, fluoroscopy and computed tomography. A pilot study amongst radiographers (Medical Radiation Technologists (MRTs)) showed that standardized practice of radiographic examinations on pregnant women is not evident between Radiology departments and that there is a need for a national guideline as the varying practice methods may lead to confusion and uncertainty amongst both patients and MRTs. Methods: Focus groups consisting of MRTs from several Radiology departments within the Netherlands were used to map ideas and requirements as to what should be included in the national guideline. Nine focus group sessions were organized with a total of 52 participants. Using a previous review (Wit, Fleur; Vroonland, Colinda; Bijwaard H. Pre-natal X-ray exposure and the risk of developing paediatric cancer; a systematic review of risk factors and a comparison of international guidelines. Health Physics 2021; 121 (3):225e233), the following key points were chosen as discussion topics for the focus group sessions: dose reduction, confirming pregnancy and risk communication. Results: Results showed that the participating MRTs did not agree on the use of lead aprons. That the national guideline should include standardized methods to adjust parameters to decrease radiation dose. Focus group participants find it difficult to ask a patient's pregnancy status, especially when dealing with relatively young and old (er) patients. When communicating the level of risk associated with a radiographic examination the participating MRTs would like to be able to use examples and comparisons, preferably by means of a multilingual website. Conclusion: A national guideline must include information on justification, available alternatives, dose reductions methods and confirmation of pregnancy requirements when fetal dose is a significant risk. Implications for practice: A national guideline ensures standardized practice can be implemented in Radiology departments, increasing clarity of the issues for both patients and MRTs.
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Artificial Intelligence (AI) has changed radiology substantially in the last years, where the focus of attention has mainly been on the radiologist. However, the radiographer’s role has been largely ignored even though AI is also affecting for example patient positioning, treatment planning and image reconstruction: tasks that are typically carried out by radiographers (and RTTs). Radiographers are currently not prepared for the changes in their profession that will come with the introduction of AI into everyday work.
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