RadiographyPub Date : 2024-11-20DOI: 10.1016/j.radi.2024.10.026
L Codd, A Ramlaul, D Trivedi
{"title":"\"I used their criticisms as my weapon to succeed\" Experiences in the dual learning environment of Black, Asian, and ethnically diverse therapeutic radiographer undergraduate students - results of a UK survey.","authors":"L Codd, A Ramlaul, D Trivedi","doi":"10.1016/j.radi.2024.10.026","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radi.2024.10.026","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Student experience impacts outcomes in Higher Education (HE) and has become a focus of interest in ethnicity awarding gap research. The awarding gap is attributed to a range of factors, many of which occur as a result of institutionalised racism. Limited data is available on the experiences of ethnically diverse allied health professionals' students and none in therapeutic radiography (TR).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>An online survey featuring quantitative and open-ended questions was sent to fourteen universities as phase 1 of a sequential explanatory mixed methods study. The survey was developed from student collaboration and the evidence base, exploring the experiences of university and clinical placement in radiotherapy undergraduate programmes. Themes of \"university and clinical placement learning,\" \"drivers of success and pressure\" \"racism and microaggressions\" and \"perceptions of the profession\" were examined.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Forty-three responses were received from students recruited via purposive sampling and self-identifying as belonging to an ethnically diverse background. Positive experiences of university and clinical placements were seen but a lower sense of belonging was reported within clinical placement. Sources of support were identified in lecturers, peers, and family. In contrast, family was also identified as a source of pressure. Incidents of racism and microaggressions were reported in clinical and university learning environments, but more frequently seen in the placement setting, and attributed to come from both radiographers and patients.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study indicates that whilst there were frequent positive aspects of university and clinical placement, racialised incidents occurred, impacting the student experience. Clinical placement providers should focus on enhancing belonging, with academic staff supporting radiographers in inclusive teaching practices.</p><p><strong>Implications for practice: </strong>All involved in radiography education must act as allies in calling out incivility, racism, and microaggressions, to support and enhance student experience.</p>","PeriodicalId":47416,"journal":{"name":"Radiography","volume":"30 Suppl 2 ","pages":"131-137"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-11-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142689130","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
RadiographyPub Date : 2024-11-20DOI: 10.1016/j.radi.2024.11.006
M Byenfeldt, S Both, M Bazzi, A Wallin
{"title":"Radiographers' perspective of patient safety at ultrasound units in radiology departments.","authors":"M Byenfeldt, S Both, M Bazzi, A Wallin","doi":"10.1016/j.radi.2024.11.006","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radi.2024.11.006","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>The radiology department plays an important role in healthcare settings, facilitating diagnoses using different imaging modalities, including ultrasound. However, this high-tech environment can pose various risks to patients. In this study, we aimed to describe the risk of patient safety incidents, and factors associated with the prevention of risks related to ultrasound examinations and the diagnostic work, from the perspective of Swedish radiographers.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted a qualitative study, based on the written answers to three open-ended questions addressed to Swedish radiographers in ultrasound units of radiology departments, between March 2022 and May 2023. Data from the responses were analyzed using content analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 22 radiographers participated in this study. The described risks were categorized into two groups: risk of tissue damage; and risk of missed, delayed, or incorrect diagnoses. Participants stated that patient safety relied on good organizational conditions-such as having enough time for ultrasound examinations and the diagnostic work, together with adequate technical equipment and new ultrasound devices not older than 5 years. As risk-prevention factors, the radiographers recommended ensuring adequate individual competence-for example, through recurrent mandatory education in ultrasound physics and safety performed by the hospital physicist, and by implementing a certificate with an identified level of expertise at every level of the ultrasound examination.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Within ultrasound units in Sweden, collaborative individual, organizational, and technical factors are important for reducing the risks of tissue damage and of missed, delayed, or incorrect diagnoses.</p><p><strong>Implications for practice: </strong>In ultrasound diagnostics, risk-preventing factors include the use of adequate technical equipment and ultrasound devices not older than 5 years, sufficient time for ultrasound examinations and diagnostic work, thoroughly education in all ultrasound methods and recurrent mandatory education in ultrasound physics performed by hospital physicists.</p>","PeriodicalId":47416,"journal":{"name":"Radiography","volume":"31 1","pages":"152-158"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-11-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142689194","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
RadiographyPub Date : 2024-11-20DOI: 10.1016/j.radi.2024.10.030
H M G Saraswati, L E Lubis
{"title":"Uniformity test in three-dimensional rotational angiography: Novel tools and methods for advanced performance evaluation.","authors":"H M G Saraswati, L E Lubis","doi":"10.1016/j.radi.2024.10.030","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radi.2024.10.030","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) Task Group (TG) 238 provides guidance on quality control procedures to ensuring optimal three-dimensional rotational angiography (3DRA) image quality. The uniformity test outlined in this guideline utilizes a sampling method, which provide limited information on image uniformity and has been found to be a sub-optimum predictor of image quality issues. Despite this limitation, numerous automated quality control software solutions for uniformity testing have been developed using the available method. Therefore, this study was aimed to propose new methods as well as to develop an in-house software to generate more comprehensive uniformity testing of 3DRA images.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The uniformity evaluation techniques are adopted from both AAPM TG-238 guidelines and the European Reference Organisation for Quality Assured Breast Screening and Diagnostic Services (EUREF) guidelines. The parameters assessed included mean pixel value (MPV) and signal to noise ratio (SNR) following EUREF recommendations with limiting values adapted from AAPM TG-238. An in-house software was constructed to visually display non-uniformities and numerically by providing information on ROIs detected by each metric.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>With the introduction of new evaluation methods, the previously established limiting values could not be employed as a reference for determining image uniformity. Therefore, the selection of the optimal uniformity testing method will be based on its sensitivity in detecting and visually displaying non-uniformities.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The new evaluation techniques provide a more comprehensive assessment of 3DRA image uniformity. However, further investigation is reserved to refine the limitation values used in determining the pass/fail criteria for the uniformity test.</p><p><strong>Implications for practice: </strong>This in-house software enables visualization of uniformity within an image, aiding in the selection of the appropriate imaging mode based on clinical requirements.</p>","PeriodicalId":47416,"journal":{"name":"Radiography","volume":"31 1","pages":"146-151"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-11-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142689196","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
RadiographyPub Date : 2024-11-19DOI: 10.1016/j.radi.2024.11.007
A Bellizzi, F Zarb
{"title":"Optimisation in CT! Dead or alive?","authors":"A Bellizzi, F Zarb","doi":"10.1016/j.radi.2024.11.007","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radi.2024.11.007","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":47416,"journal":{"name":"Radiography","volume":"31 1","pages":"137-138"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-11-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142683130","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
RadiographyPub Date : 2024-11-19DOI: 10.1016/j.radi.2024.10.025
E G Gram, A B R Jønsson, L B Larsen, M Adlouni, B Mussmann
{"title":"Communicating the risk of recall in mammography screening - Enskilment in breast radiography.","authors":"E G Gram, A B R Jønsson, L B Larsen, M Adlouni, B Mussmann","doi":"10.1016/j.radi.2024.10.025","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radi.2024.10.025","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>In Denmark, there are no official guidelines on how to inform women about the risk of recall during mammography screening, leading to varied local practices. This study explored the experiences of radiographers at a Danish mammography screening unit and breast cancer assessment clinic communicating the risk of recall and false-positive results.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study involved 12 weeks of ethnographic fieldwork over the course of one year, along with eleven semi-structured interviews with radiographers.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Radiographers worked at the screening unit and the breast cancer assessment clinic. This provided them an opportunity to learn from their colleagues, improve communication skills, and the ability to recognise and respond to emotional reactions. The radiographers were aware that recalls might cause psychosocial consequences and had thus established a local practice sensitive to this. The radiographers informed women at their first screening about the risk of recall and false positives, aiming to mitigate these consequences.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>These findings highlight the advantages of radiographers working in both screening and clinical settings.</p><p><strong>Implications for practice: </strong>Insights from this study may inspire future guidelines or local screening practices and improve patient care. Furthermore, results may inform department managers' workload organisation.</p>","PeriodicalId":47416,"journal":{"name":"Radiography","volume":"31 1","pages":"139-145"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-11-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142683126","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
RadiographyPub Date : 2024-11-19DOI: 10.1016/j.radi.2024.11.005
E Dzidzornu, A O'Fee, S Hogan, N S McCarthy, E Stewart, C Madeley, J Wilkes, A White, M Hickey, E Wylie, K McBride, J Stone
{"title":"Co-production of a novel intervention targeting obesity-related barriers to mammographic screening participation.","authors":"E Dzidzornu, A O'Fee, S Hogan, N S McCarthy, E Stewart, C Madeley, J Wilkes, A White, M Hickey, E Wylie, K McBride, J Stone","doi":"10.1016/j.radi.2024.11.005","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radi.2024.11.005","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Women with obesity are less likely to participate in mammographic screening and more likely to develop post-menopausal breast cancer. We describe the co-production of a novel training intervention for breast screening staff, targeting obesity-related barriers to participating in a population-based mammographic screening.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A Stakeholder Consultant Group (SCG) was established to guide the co-production process. A narrative review of the literature was conducted, as well as first person interviews of women with lived experience of obesity, to identify/inform themes for service delivery staff training.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Three themes from the narrative review emerged: (i) enhanced staff-client communication, (ii) promoting compassionate connections during client interactions (iii) tailored mammography positioning for women with obesity. Iterative co-design and consultation with the SCG resulted in six key sessions delivered within an in-service training day: determinants of obesity, weight stigma and healthcare, screening challenges for women living with obesity, empathy 'mapping', front-line training for reception staff, and screening challenges for radiographers when screening women with obesity. Subsequent practical workshops for radiographers provided hands-on positioning training using a real-life model and a 'mammo vest'. Feedback showed that 74 % of staff rated the training as \"very good\" or \"excellent\".</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Training to improve staff interactions with women with obesity appears to be acceptable.</p><p><strong>Implications for practice: </strong>The intervention has been successfully implemented in a population-based breast screening program to improve the mammography experience for both clients and staff. Improving the mammogram experience will improve the likelihood of clients returning to screening when next due. Given the prevalence of obesity and body image issues, targeted interventions that optimize client interactions could significantly reduce breast cancer mortality through early detection.</p>","PeriodicalId":47416,"journal":{"name":"Radiography","volume":"30 Suppl 2 ","pages":"120-130"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-11-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142683122","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
RadiographyPub Date : 2024-11-15DOI: 10.1016/j.radi.2024.10.013
S. Papathanasiou , K. Szczepura , J.D. Thompson
{"title":"The impact of technical and environmental conditions on the quality assessment in mammography","authors":"S. Papathanasiou , K. Szczepura , J.D. Thompson","doi":"10.1016/j.radi.2024.10.013","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.radi.2024.10.013","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Mammography requires optimal image quality and that should be ensured during quality assurance. This study investigates the impact of environmental conditions and monitor specifications on quality control procedures within image acquisition rooms in breast imaging departments.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>During this study, nine TORMAM test object images acquired under different conditions were evaluated by 16 observers in 12 different environmental conditions (low, medium, and high illumination level, white and grey wall colour and 2 monitors with high and low technical characteristics). Visibility of structures was the key criteria.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The number of visible structures per image was dependent on the different environmental conditions, with large variations observed. The wall colour and the illumination level have a statistically significant effect on the number of visible structures. It was statistically proven that the grey wall colour had a positive effect on the visibility of low contrast detail discs.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Low ambient light, with a grey wall colour and monitors with high specification allow greatest structure visibility. On the contrary, white wall colour around the monitor and high ambient light had a negative impact on technical evaluation of the images during quality control procedures.</div></div><div><h3>Implications for practice</h3><div>Better standardization of the environmental condition is required in acquisition rooms. Specifically, this research points to the benefit of using a low reflectance wall colour and low illumination level around the monitors.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":47416,"journal":{"name":"Radiography","volume":"31 1","pages":"Pages 131-136"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-11-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142644851","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
RadiographyPub Date : 2024-11-15DOI: 10.1016/j.radi.2024.10.029
M. Rawashdeh , M.A. Ali , M. McEntee , M. El-Sayed , C. Saade , D. Kashabash , A. England
{"title":"Assessment of the role of experience in shaping sustainability perceptions within radiography","authors":"M. Rawashdeh , M.A. Ali , M. McEntee , M. El-Sayed , C. Saade , D. Kashabash , A. England","doi":"10.1016/j.radi.2024.10.029","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.radi.2024.10.029","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Perceptions of environmental sustainability among radiographers can potentially be influenced by individual experiences and educational backgrounds. This study aims to investigate the perceptions and practices of radiographers regarding sustainability initiatives, emphasizing the significance of understanding their diverse experiences and backgrounds.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This was an online survey involving 104 radiographers from various regions worldwide to evaluate their training related to global warming, their perceptions of sustainability, current practices, and the barriers they face in implementing sustainability practices.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Participants' knowledge regarding sustainability was significantly influenced by their social networks, including friends and family (χ<sup>2</sup> = 12.505, p = 0.004). Notable correlations were observed between years' of experience and the belief in pollution's contribution to climate change (χ<sup>2</sup> = 8.096,p = 0.038), as well as the perception of human activities as the primary cause of climate change (χ<sup>2</sup> = 22.68,p = 0.011). Furthermore, involvement in environmental protection initiatives (χ<sup>2</sup> = 19.268, p = 0.033) and the perception of local climate impacts (χ<sup>2</sup> = 22.478, p = 0.012) were positively correlated with experience. In the field of radiography, the adoption of energy-efficient practices (χ<sup>2</sup> = 10.482, p = 0.011) and the recycling of imaging waste (χ<sup>2</sup> = 25.778, p = 0.004) were significantly associated with levels of experience. Lastly, the barrier identified as “Lack of Authority to make change” also exhibited a significant relationship with years of experience (χ<sup>2</sup> = 9.449, p = 0.022).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>This study indicates that staff experiences play a significant factor influencing sustainability engagement among radiographers. Barriers identified include financial constraints, insufficient leadership, safety concerns, and inadequate training.</div></div><div><h3>Impact on practice</h3><div>The current study highlights the essential requirement for customized strategies based on radiographers' experiences to improve sustainable practices in radiography. It acknowledges the impact of organizational barriers and suggests that progress toward a more sustainable future can be achieved through individual empowerment and collaboration within the healthcare sector.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":47416,"journal":{"name":"Radiography","volume":"31 1","pages":"Pages 103-111"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-11-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142644742","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
RadiographyPub Date : 2024-11-15DOI: 10.1016/j.radi.2024.11.002
M. Miyai , R. Fukui , M. Nakashima , D. Hasegawa , S. Goto
{"title":"Accuracy of deep learning-based attenuation correction in 99mTc-GSA SPECT/CT hepatic imaging","authors":"M. Miyai , R. Fukui , M. Nakashima , D. Hasegawa , S. Goto","doi":"10.1016/j.radi.2024.11.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.radi.2024.11.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Attenuation correction (AC) is necessary for accurate assessment of radioactive distribution in single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). The method of computed tomography-based AC (CTAC) is widely used because of its accuracy. However, patients are exposed to radiation during CT examination. The purpose of this study was to generate pseudo CT images for AC from non-AC SPECT images using deep learning and evaluate the effect of deep learning-based AC in <sup>99m</sup>Tc-labeled galactosyl human serum albumin SPECT/CT imaging.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A cycle-consistent generative network (CycleGAN) was used to generate pseudo CT images. The test cohort consisted of each one patient with normal and abnormal liver function. SPECT images were reconstructed without AC (SPECT<sub>NC</sub>), with conventional CTAC (SPECT<sub>CTAC</sub>), and with deep learning-based AC (SPECT<sub>GAN</sub>). The accuracy of each AC was evaluated using the total liver count and the structural similarity index (SSIM) of SPECT<sub>CTAC</sub> and SPECT<sub>GAN</sub>. The coefficient of variation (%CV) was used to assess uniformity.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The total liver counts in SPECT<sub>GAN</sub> were significantly improved over those in SPECT<sub>NC</sub> and differed from those of SPECT<sub>CTAC</sub> by approximately 7 % in both patients. The %CV in SPECT<sub>CTAC</sub> and SPECT<sub>GAN</sub> were significantly lower than those in SPECT<sub>NC</sub>. The mean SSIM in SPECT<sub>CTAC</sub> and SPECT<sub>GAN</sub> for patients with normal and abnormal liver functions were 0.985 and 0.977, respectively.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The accuracy of AC with a deep learning-based method was similarly performed as the conventional CTAC. Our proposed method used only non-AC SPECT images for AC, which has great potential to reduce patient exposure by eliminating CT examination.</div></div><div><h3>Implications for practice</h3><div>AC of <sup>99m</sup>Tc-GSA was achieved using pseudo CT images generated with CycleGAN. Further studies on changing liver morphology and various hepatic diseases are recommended.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":47416,"journal":{"name":"Radiography","volume":"31 1","pages":"Pages 112-117"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-11-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142644736","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
RadiographyPub Date : 2024-11-15DOI: 10.1016/j.radi.2024.11.003
M. Rawashdeh , M. Zakaria El-Sayed , P. Kumar , N. Rooeintan , A. Afra Shibu , M. A. Ali
{"title":"Insights into radiography students' perspectives on communication skills development in clinical training","authors":"M. Rawashdeh , M. Zakaria El-Sayed , P. Kumar , N. Rooeintan , A. Afra Shibu , M. A. Ali","doi":"10.1016/j.radi.2024.11.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.radi.2024.11.003","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Effective communication is crucial in the healthcare industry. It builds trust, enhances understanding, and improves the quality of care. Radiographers, as the first point of contact for patients, need strong communication skills to ensure safety and facilitate effective interactions. Radiographers play a vital role in patient care and are frequently encountered by a substantial proportion of patients, significantly influencing patient outcomes.</div><div>This study aims to examine the attitudes of radiography students toward communication skills training in clinical education in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Ethical approval was obtained from Gulf Medical University for a cross-sectional study involving 91 radiography students from universities in the UAE. The study utilized a structured questionnaire called the Communication Skills Attitudes Scale (CSAS), which was administered via an online survey created using Google Forms. It consisted of 36 closed-ended questions presented in professional language tailored to the target audience. Data analysis was performed using IBM SPSS, and chi-square tests were utilized to assess associations between variables.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The results indicate that 51.6 % of students support comprehensive communication skills training in radiography education. The importance of these skills becomes more significant as students’ progress academically (p = 0.001). Furthermore, there is a positive association between higher GPAs and a greater focus on communication skills, with statistically significant correlations (p = 0.008).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The findings highlight the significance of integrating comprehensive communication skills training into radiography education. With the progression of students' studies, the importance of these skills becomes more evident.</div></div><div><h3>Impact on practice</h3><div>Integrating comprehensive communication skills courses into radiography education may enhance students' capacity to effectively engage with patients and healthcare teams, thereby leading to improved patient care outcomes. These findings underscore the necessity for curriculum enhancements that better incorporate communication training.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":47416,"journal":{"name":"Radiography","volume":"31 1","pages":"Pages 118-130"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-11-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142644801","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}