Abstract This paper examines the role of radiographers within the radiology department focusing on the provision of a barium enema. This paper provides a retrospective review of the data currently available regarding the use of radiographers within the health system, the efficiency of this practice, safety outcomes and the quality of the studies.
Contents:
Abstract
Statement of the Problem (Introduction)
Hypothesis
Current Scope of Practice of Radiographers
Literature Review
Methods
Evaluation
Ethical Considerations
Dissemination
Budget
Discussion
Appendix
From the Paper "We are seeing a loss of physician radiologists from our health care system as they move on to a setting which is more financially lucrative as well as under their own control in regard to schedule management, etc. This does not mean that the number of patients will reduce, and these patients still require high quality healthcare. There has been a worldwide move to the use of midlevel or allied health care providers who can practice within a certain scope under the supervision of a physician and offer medical management and evaluation of patients. We will seek to evaluate the efficacy of the use of radiographers within the radiology department in the management of patients who seek barium enemas. In specific, we will study the radiographer's degree of comfort and accuracy in the provision of the studies. We will examine the different types of training which radiographers learn their skills, and which type of consultation with the radiologist in general. Finally we will examine the degree of job satisfaction of radiographers who provide Barium Enemas as well as the satisfaction of patients who undergo the procedure under the supervision of a radiographer."
