Guidelines and legal requirements which inform role expansion in radiography

White, Priscilla; McKay, Jan

doi:10.1053/radi.2002.0360

Cited by 31 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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Section: Benefits To the Patientmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…1,9,21 Roles traditionally undertaken by health professionals are less likely to be defined by traditional boundaries and are increasingly becoming more of a "team approach". 9 The rationale behind the appointment of ROs as treatment reviewers is based on the theory that they are highly trained medical specialists, and the most appropriate professional to review the patient during treatment. This reasoning fails to acknowledge the role of the treatment review as not only a medical assessment and a source for advice on treatment reactions for the patient, but also as an opportunity for the patient and their carers to discuss and address their informational, psychological and social needs.…”

Section: Benefits To the Patientmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This is particularly true if appropriate pathways to this role are not clearly defined. 8,9 Various authors have found that appropriate education and qualification routes as well as support and funding in the clinical environment are required when developing this role. 2,[8][9][10] This development requires the involvement of tertiary institutions, radiation therapy centres and professional bodies.…”

Section: Evidence Basedmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…8,9 Various authors have found that appropriate education and qualification routes as well as support and funding in the clinical environment are required when developing this role. 2,[8][9][10] This development requires the involvement of tertiary institutions, radiation therapy centres and professional bodies. 26 To implement a clearly defined education pathway some centres gave RT treatment reviewers formal education such as lecture or postgraduate education relating to cancer management, counselling and side effect management.…”

Section: Evidence Basedmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…2,[8][9][10]27 Diagnostic radiographers in the UK experienced difficulties in being given appropriate formal recognition and remuneration for advanced practice roles because their professional body failed to appropriately adapt definitions of the classification of roles. 10 The Professional Accreditation Working Party report could assist in avoiding such issues in Australia as it clearly sets out a three-tier structure with unambiguous definitions regarding requirements to attain the varying levels of practice for RTs.…”

Section: Evidence Basedmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Radiation therapist‐led weekly patient treatment reviews

et al. 2009

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The purpose of this discussion article is to explore the implementation of radiation therapist‐led treatment reviews as a form of advanced practice for radiation therapists in Australia. The feasibility of such a role, the impact on cancer care services and implementation requirements to enable the position to be implemented effectively in an Australian environment are explored. Current practice involving weekly patient treatment reviews and cases where health professionals other than radiation oncologists have undertaken this role will be evaluated. Recommendations on its implementation in an Australian environment are also given. An extensive literature review was conducted through the databases ScienceDirect, Medline and CINAHL. Searches were carried out using the following keywords; “radi*” and “prescribing”, “radi*” and “patient review” and “radi*” and “role development”. Abstracts of the yielded results were appraised and those that matched criteria for analysis underwent critical review for inclusion in the discussion. Although steps have been taken to implement the advanced practice role of a treatment review radiation therapist in Australia, little has been done to formalise the role. It is evident from the international literature that the radiation therapist‐led reviewer role has resulted in benefits to patients, medical specialists and therapists. This advanced practice role has the potential to increase radiation therapist retention and recruitment. Implementation of this role in the Australian environment would be advantageous; however criteria outlining the scope of practice and remuneration packages need to be established to facilitate the synthesis of this role in a clinical environment.

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Section: Benefits To the Patientmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Benefits To the Patientmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Evidence Basedmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Evidence Basedmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Evidence Basedmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Radiation therapist‐led weekly patient treatment reviews

et al. 2009

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Systematic review — role expansion in radiation therapy: from an international perspective to an Australian context

Acharya

Vatsavayi

et al. 2009

Radiographer

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This systematic review aims to explore the current state of role expansion in radiation therapy internationally and gain an informed understanding of the possibilities of such practices in an Australian context. A comprehensive search from 1990 to 2008 was undertaken to extract publications from electronic databases, individual journals and professional bodies. A thorough title and abstract audit was conducted. Fifteen articles were selected for critical analysis after content examination. The results indicated that expanded roles for radiation therapists (RTs) have been implemented internationally, but few are reported in the Australian environment. The two most prominent roles identified were the patient treatment reviewer and the image reviewer. Additionally, roles such as the breast planning RT, research RT and information and support RT have also been described. The data offered a substantial amount of evidence that developed countries are progressing rapidly towards role expansion. Expanded practice has conferred greater accountability; autonomy and responsibility on RTs. Positive outcomes such as improved patient care and increased job satisfaction for RTs have been observed despite barriers such as medical dominance and legal issues. It therefore appears that role expansion in RT is viable in Australia, but further research and evaluation should be conducted before role expansion is applied.

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Avenues for role expansion in image guided radiation therapy: discussion and recommendations for kilovoltage and megavoltage imaging

et al. 2009

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Recent advances in imaging modalities within radiation therapy departments have the capability to initiate differing roles for radiation therapists. This has the potential to considerably improve the knowledge base and clinical skills of radiation therapists, while also enhancing the relationship between the allied health and medical professions. In addition, the quality of patient care may be improved while reducing the workload of oncologists. This article aims to discuss possible links between role expansion and image guided radiation therapy (IGRT) and avenues where this may be possible in modern radiotherapy departments. The work focuses on kilovoltage (kV) and megavoltage (MV) imaging modalities and their use in IGRT processes – primarily at treatment delivery. A literature review was conducted and knowledge gathered based on clinical experience at a number of departments across New South Wales and Queensland, Australia with the literature discussed framed by the authors' clinical learning and experiences. It was found that information is available supporting role expansion and IGRT separately; however, there is no direct correlation of information between these two subject areas across the current Australian or international spectra. Role expansion for radiation therapists must be accompanied by a clear definition of redeveloped roles and responsibilities in order to avoid confusion between oncologists and therapists. The authors recommend funding as vital to ensure adequate education and standardised training intra and inter departments. Ultimately, the development of radiation therapists into IGRT specialists may involve exclusively in imaging planning and treatment aspects.

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Guidelines and legal requirements which inform role expansion in radiography

Cited by 31 publications

References 9 publications

Radiation therapist‐led weekly patient treatment reviews

Radiation therapist‐led weekly patient treatment reviews

Systematic review — role expansion in radiation therapy: from an international perspective to an Australian context

Avenues for role expansion in image guided radiation therapy: discussion and recommendations for kilovoltage and megavoltage imaging

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