Radiographic technique modification and evidence-based practice: A qualitative study

Rawle, Marnie, Pighills, Alison, Mendez, Diana, and Dobeli, Karen (2023) Radiographic technique modification and evidence-based practice: A qualitative study. Journal of Medical Radiation Sciences, 70 (1). pp. 56-63.

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Abstract

Introduction: Evidence-based practice in radiography is an emerging practice, due to a lack of evidence. Beyond the diagnostic requirements of the examination, imaging technique decisions are guided by the radiographer's tertiary education and clinical experience. Imaging technique decisions should include all aspects of evidence-based practice: research-based evidence, patient circumstances and clinical experience. Previous research suggests radiographers do to not fully engage with the latter, which may jeopardise progress in the field and lead to outdated practices and suboptimal outcomes for patients. This study aimed to examine the motivators and influences involved in radiographers' decision-making when modifying imaging acquisition techniques.

Methods: An exploratory descriptive, inductive qualitative interview-based design was used with a convenience sample of radiographers from three public hospital sites in Queensland. Twelve one-on-one semi-structured interviews were performed via video conference, the data were analysed through thematic analysis.

Results: Five themes emerged from the data: advancement of technology; experience rather than evidence; radiology's influence on radiographic practice; information sources; and image quality. The pursuit of image quality was the key motivator and criterion that influenced radiographers' choices in imaging technique modification. Interviewees did not engage routinely with research-based evidence, preferring to rely on empirical observations and professional experience.

Conclusion: The exclusion of research-based evidence can lead to outdated and ineffective clinical decisions. Further work is needed to promote more research in the field of radiography and increase the willingness and capacity of radiographers to follow the principles of evidence-based practice.

Item ID: 75939
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 2051-3909
Keywords: Evidence-based, imaging technique, qualitative research, radiography, evidence-based practice
Copyright Information: © 2022 The Authors.Journal of Medical Radiation Sciencespublished by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf ofAustralian Society of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy and New Zealand Institute of Medical Radiation Technology.This is an open access article under the terms of theCreative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivsLicense,which permits use and distribution in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited, the use is non-commercial andno modifications or adaptations are made.
Date Deposited: 07 Sep 2022 08:00
FoR Codes: 42 HEALTH SCIENCES > 4206 Public health > 420604 Injury prevention @ 100%
SEO Codes: 20 HEALTH > 2005 Specific population health (excl. Indigenous health) > 200502 Health related to ageing @ 100%
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