Education, training, and professional issues of radiographers in six European countries: a comparative review

Abstract

Radiographers constitute an important part of a multidisciplinary radiation-based imaging and therapy chain. However, is there a common framework for assuring high education, training, and subsequent practice of profession among European countries? A study was conducted, based on a questionnaire that consisted of three parts, concerning education and training (Part A), national registry (Part B), and professional issues (Part C). Analysis of the collected data suggested that a common policy is generally followed in the countries investigated; however, differences were not negligible. A common framework of educational programmes among European countries could form the basis for overall standardisation at national and international level.

The role of radiographers in ultrasound: A survey of the national societies within the European Federation of Radiographer Societies (EFRS)

“…Six countries responded to the survey, limiting the overall generalisability. 14 Findings concurred with a study of ten European radiographer associations in 2012, which reported that the UK and Ireland were the only two countries where radiographers performed all types of ultrasound examinations. 15 The Netherlands had some radiographer involvement in all areas of ultrasound, although not as widespread as the UK and Ireland.…”

“…In 2013, two German radiologists reported working with sonographers, 5 whereas the response from German radiographer societies in this study suggested that radiographers do not perform ultrasound examinations. Whilst Prentakis et al's study only covered six countries, 14 the findings from this current study were the same for the UK and Ireland, however as with the ESR study radiographers were unable to work in ultrasound in Poland and Switzerland. 5 Almost 90% of respondents (n ¼ 29) supported, to some extent, the survey question asking if a radiographer specialised in ultrasound is the best person to perform ultrasound.…”

“…The ESR 5 study was primarily a survey of radiologists within individual units, whereas the more recent study by Prentakis et al 14 investigated professional societies, as did this study. Likewise Bento et al surveyed radiographer professional bodies and trade union organisations, reporting that Sweden and Portugal had no legislation to enable radiographers to practise independent ultrasound examinations.…”

Evaluation of radiotherapy education across the EU and the impact on graduates' competencies working on the linear accelerator

“…Some level of harmonisation can be observed since the majority of countries seem to offer dual-qualification programmes at EQF level 6 with a duration between 3 and 4 years, corroborating previous studies. 6,7,36 These similarities facilitate movement between EUcountries since these are the characteristics most often verified before granting recognition of qualifications abroad. 4,13 However, not all member-states offer programmes with these characteristics: the programmes vary between 1 semester and 5 years in duration; EQF level between 4 and 7; and programmes can be either dedicated to radiotherapy; dual-qualifications (imaging and radiotherapy); or even include additional specialisms (such as electrophysiology).…”

The Development of a Free Radiological Anatomy Software Teaching Tool

“…Radiography education in the European community is organized in different ways ranging from no formal education program to university graduate and postgraduate courses. However, there is a great concern in standardizing the educational level, as well as in accrediting training for radiography professionals (Prentakis et al, 2016). E-learning has been increased as teaching method since 2000, and it has been suggested as an accessible high-quality education method (White & Cheung).…”