Aim: A preliminary small scale study to assess the diagnostic performance of a limited group of reporting radiographers and consultant radiologists in clinical practice undertaking computer tomography (CT) head interpretation.Method: A multiple reader multiple case (MRMC) alternative free response receiver operating characteristic (AFROC) methodology was applied for this study. Utilising an image bank of 30 CT head examinations, with a 1:1 ratio of normal to abnormal cases. A reference standard was established by double reporting the original reports using two additional independent consultant radiologists with arbitration of discordance by the researcher. Twelve observers from six southern National Health Service (NHS) trusts were invited to participate. The results were compared for accuracy, agreement, sensitivity, specificity. Data analysis used AFROC and area under the curve (AUC) with standard error against the ground truth. Results:The reporting radiographers results demonstrated a mean sensitivity rate of 88.7% (95% CI 82.3 to 95.1%), specificity 95.6% (96% CI 90.1 to 100%) and accuracy of 92.2% (95% CI 89.3 to 95%).The consultant radiologists mean sensitivity rate was 83.35% (95% CI 80 to 86.7%), specificity 90% (95% CI 86.7 to 93.3%) and accuracy of 86.65% (95% CI 83.3 to 90%). Observer performance between the two groups was compared with AFROC, AUC, and standard error analysis (p=0.94, SE 0.202). Conclusion:The findings of this research indicate that within a limited study, a small group of reporting radiographers demonstrated high levels of diagnostic accuracy in the interpretation of CT head examinations that was equivalent to a small selection of consultant radiologists. *Abstract Highlights We assessed reporting radiographers and consultant radiologists in a clinical setting. This was a small scale retrospective multi-reader multi-case multi-site study. AFROC used lesion-based decisions rather than case-based decisions. Within a limited study the observer performance was high in CT head interpretation. Parallels were drawn with published results from other CT head interpretation studies.

Please cite this publication as follows:Lockwood, P. (2016)

Aim: A preliminary small scale study to assess the diagnostic performance of a limited group of reporting radiographers and consultant radiologists in clinical practice undertaking computer tomography (CT) head interpretation.Method: A multiple reader multiple case (MRMC) alternative free response receiver operating characteristic (AFROC) methodology was applied for this study. Utilising an image bank of 30 CT head examinations, with a 1:1 ratio of normal to abnormal cases. A reference standard was established by double reporting the original reports using two additional independent consultant radiologists with arbitration of discordance by the researcher. Twelve observers from six southern National Health Service (NHS) trusts were invited to participate. The results were compared for accuracy, agreement, sensitivity, specificity. Data analysis used AFROC and area under the curve (AUC) with standard error against the ground truth. Results:The reporting radiographers results demonstrated a mean sensitivity rate of 88.7% (95% CI 82.3 to 95.1%), specificity 95.6% (96% CI 90.1 to 100%) and accuracy of 92.2% (95% CI 89.3 to 95%).The consultant radiologists mean sensitivity rate was 83.35% (95% CI 80 to 86.7%), specificity 90% (95% CI 86.7 to 93.3%) and accuracy of 86.65% (95% CI 83.3 to 90%). Observer performance between the two groups was compared with AFROC, AUC, and standard error analysis (p=0.94, SE 0.202). Conclusion:The findings of this research indicate that within a limited study, a small group of reporting radiographers demonstrated high levels of diagnostic accuracy in the interpretation of CT head examinations that was equivalent to a small selection of consultant radiologists. *Abstract Highlights We assessed reporting radiographers and consultant radiologists in a clinical setting. This was a small scale retrospective multi-reader multi-case multi-site study. AFROC used lesion-based decisions rather than case-based decisions. Within a limited study the observer performance was high in CT head interpretation. Parallels were drawn with published results from other CT head interpretation studies.

The results suggest that this cohort of radiographers at the end of a period training in CT sinus and facial bones are able to clinically report comparably high standards.

Introduction COVID-19 is a highly contagious viral disease declared a global pandemic in March 2020. Throughout the pandemic, radiography students have been working in hospitals on the frontline. The review aimed to search for evidence of the impact COVID-19 has had on diagnostic radiography students and consider whether additional support and learning needs to be implemented. Methods A literature search strategy applied keywords, BOOLEAN search operators, and eligibility criteria on PubMed, Medline, and Google Scholar databases. Cormack's (2000) critique framework was chosen to methodologically appraise the mixed-method studies to evaluate the quality, validity and rigour. Results The search decisions were displayed in a PRISMA flowchart to evidence the process to identify the found articles comprised of two surveys, two semi-structured interviews and one case study. The findings identified common and reoccurring themes of personal protective equipment, mental wellbeing, accommodation and travel, assessments and learning, and transitioning to registration. Conclusion The literature suggests that students felt positive impacts of the pandemic, such as being prepared for registration. However, negative effects included the fear of contracting the virus, anxieties of working with ill patients, impracticalities of accommodation and travel during clinical placement, and the adaption to online learning. Implications for practice Clinical staff and universities need to work together to ensure students are mentally and physically supported during the pandemic. Regular meetings and agreed channels of communication with students will allow any issues to be brought to attention and addressed. In addition, employers should recognise that newly qualified radiographers will need extra support.

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Background: The United Kingdom (UK) National Health Service (NHS) Imaging and Radiodiagnostic activity 2013/14 report estimate the year on year increase of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) examinations to be 12.3%, with the designated workforce of radiologists disproportionate to the increase in demand of imaging reporting.

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