Study of Radiologic Technologists’ Perceptions of Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) Competence and Educational Issues in Western Australia

Although the implementation of picture archiving and communication system (PACS) could increase productivity of radiology departments, this depends on factors such as the PACS competence of radiologic technologists (RTs). The purpose of this study was to investigate the RTs’ perceptions of PACS competence and educational issues in Western Australia (WA). A hardcopy questionnaire was distributed to WA RTs for obtaining their perceptions of PACS competence and educational issues. Descriptive (percentage of frequency, mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (t test and analysis of variance) were used to analyze the responses of the multiple choice and five-point scale questions from the returned questionnaires. The questionnaire response rate was 57.7 % (173 out of 300). The mean values of all PACS competence questions except questions 2e–g are in the range of 3.9–4.9, i.e., around competent to very competent. Participants indicated they received adequate PACS training (mean 3.8). Statistically significant variables influencing RTs’ perceptions of their PACS competence and educational issues including the age (p < 0.01), gender (p < 0.05), years of practice (p < 0.005–0.05), primary duty (p < 0.05), medical imaging qualification (p < 0.001), general computer skills (p < 0.001), and type of PACS education received (p < 0.001–0.05). The WA RTs indicated that they were competent in using the modality workstation, PACS and radiology information system, and received adequate training. However, future PACS education programs should be tailored to different RTs’ groups. For example, multiple training modules might be necessary to support the PACS competence development of older RTs and those with lower general computer literacy

Master of Science

This thesis incorporates two different studies investigating occupational exposure to ionizing radiation in veterinary workers. The first study evaluated the frequency of use of protective eyeglasses and gloves, and the frequency of protective behaviors (increasing distance from the body and head eye region to the radiation source), during manual restraint for radiography among small animal workers in a veterinary hospital before and after a video training module. In the second study we evaluated self-reported radiation safety behaviours among small animal veterinary diplomate and resident fluoroscopy users through an electronic questionnaire. The first study demonstrated a significant improvement in all behavior outcomes after the video training (vs before), and also found that sedation or anesthesia reduce the need for workers to be inside the radiography room manually restraining the animal; however, the overall frequency of optimal behaviors was still low. The second study found a low eyeglasses and hand shielding compliance among veterinary fluoroscopy users. Both studies demonstrated that workers with formal training in radiation safety are more likely to adopt behaviours that reduce their dose, such as PPE compliance. In conclusion, this thesis work found that education and formal training on radiation safety increases behaviours that decrease worker dose and help to develop a radiation safety culture in the workplace. However, it also found a low compliance of protective eyeglasses and gloves among veterinary radiology and fluoroscopy users. Finally, sedation or anesthesia should be used more often during diagnostic radiography as it reduces the need for workers to be inside the radiography room, thus reducing their radiation exposure

Focal Spot, Fall/Winter 1986

https://digitalcommons.wustl.edu/focal_spot_archives/1044/thumbnail.jp

Managing technological change in a military treatment facility: a case study of medical diagnostic imaging support (MDIS) system

Picture archiving and communication system (PACS) represents an enormously expensive technological innovation in digital imaging which has the potential to alter the way in which radiology is practiced. The purpose of this thesis is to provide a better understanding of the requirements for PACS technology and the implementation of information systems in medical facilities. The objective of PACS technology is to improve access to radiographic images and reports throughout medical facilities while decreasing the cost of image production and storage. Medical Diagnostic Imaging Support (MDIS) system is the military tri-service project to install PACS in selected U.S. military medical treatment facilities (MTF) in an attempt to create a totally filmless environment. This thesis includes a case study of the implementation of the MDIS system at Madigan Army Medical Center and the change management issues that surround the introduction of an information system in a health care organization. The issues brought forth in this study are derived from two change models in the implementation of information systems.http://archive.org/details/managingtechnolo1094542869U.S. Navy (USN) authorApproved for public release; distribution is unlimited

Experiences of analogue-trained radiographers utilising digital imaging in projection radiography

The professional work of a radiographer encompasses both patient care and the use of technology. The technology employed could either be analogue or digital technology. Since 1973, the analogue imaging system has slowly been replaced by digital radiography imaging systems. Despite the many advantages of digital imaging it does present the radiographer with added responsibilities. Furthermore, analogue-trained radiographers have found adjusting to digital imaging especially challenging. The aim of the study was to explore and describe the experiences of analogue-trained radiographers utilising digital imaging in projection radiography with the intention of developing guidelines to equip radiography managers to assist analogue-trained radiographers to better utilise digital imaging. The researcher used Schlossberg’s Transition Theory as a lens to look at the experiences of analogue-trained radiographers using digital imaging to produce radiographs. The research study used a qualitative design which was explorative, descriptive and contextual in nature. The target population included all diagnostic radiographers (public and private) in the local municipality who were registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa. Purposive sampling was employed to select the radiographers that represented all radiographers in the Nelson Mandela Bay Health District. The sample included all radiographers who fulfilled the identified selection criteria. The selected participants were recruited to take part in in-depth, semi-structured individual interviews. The data was analysed using a computer-aided qualitative data analysis software package, ATLAS.ti. The trustworthiness of this study was ensured by applying Guba’s model of trustworthiness that includes credibility, transferability, dependability and confirmability. The ethical principles of respect for persons, beneficence and justice, as espoused by the Belmont Report, were adhered to in order to ensure that the study was conducted in an ethical manner. Two themes emanated from the data, namely the evolution of the radiographer when faced with the advances in technology as well the role that the work environment played in the manner that the participants experienced the change. The experiences of the participants were described using direct quotations from the interviews and a literature control was used to verify the participants’ experiences. Evidence was found of radiographer indifference towards exposure selection, dose optimisation and placement of anatomical side markers when utilising digital imaging. Finally, guidelines were developed to equip radiography managers to assist analogue-trained radiographers to better utilise digital imaging. In addition, the guidelines will assist all other radiographers to better utilise digital imaging

Design of Automatic Archivery Software to Easy Work System in Social Services

In the era of globalization, computer technology has an important role in assisting the process of work activities in agencies and offices, both from government and private institutions. The use of computer equipment as a supporting device for data management and processing is very appropriate with the consideration of computer equipment in any information that is needed in management or office activities. The purpose of this program is to facilitate data management of incoming and outgoing letters at the social service office still using manual methods in data input, in the office world the existence of information technology is also very useful for agencies to facilitate performance in daily activities, especially in managing mail data. incoming and outgoing letters. using qualitative research methods with literature study stage, software design stage using a programming language with flutter framework. The results of the software design that has been successfully created can be carried out in the testing phase or the implementation of the program application to see whether the program created can run according to the desired goal or not. The concept of this program is to change the manual system in filing letters to an automated system. The impact of this program is that it is hoped that the archiving of incoming and outgoing mail will be more effective and more structured. At the end of this program, it is hoped that outgoing and incoming letters will not be mixed and when looking for the required letters or documents it does not take a long time with the existence of this incoming and outgoing mail archiving software, making archiving more effective and more structured. With this software, it is easier for social service employees to process incoming and outgoing mail document

Bodies of Seeing: A video ethnography of academic x-ray image interpretation training and professional vision in undergraduate radiology and radiography education

This thesis reports on a UK-based video ethnography of academic x-ray image interpretation training across two undergraduate courses in radiology and radiography. By studying the teaching and learning practices of the classroom, I initially explore the professional vision of x-ray image interpretation and how its relation to normal radiographic anatomy founds the practice of being ‘critical’. This criticality accomplishes a faculty of perceptual norms that is coded and organised and also, therefore, of a specific radiological vision. Professionals’ commitment to the cognitivist rhetoric of ‘looking at’/‘pattern recognition’ builds this critical perception, a perception that deepens in organisation when professionals endorse a ‘systematic approach’ that mediates matter-of-fact thoroughness and offers a helpful critical commentary towards the image. In what follows, I explore how x-ray image interpretation is constituted in case presentations. During training, x-ray images are treated with suspicion and as misleading and are aligned with a commitment to discursive contexts of ‘missed abnormality’, ‘interpretive risk’, and ‘technical error’. The image is subsequently constructed as ambiguous and that what is shown cannot be taken at face value. This interconnects with reenacting ideals around ‘seeing clearly’ that are explained through the teaching practices and material world of the academic setting and how, if misinterpretation is established, the ambiguity of the image is reduced by embodied gestures and technoscientific knowledge. By making this correction, the ambiguous image is reenacted and the misinterpretation of image content is explained. To conclude, I highlight how the professional vision of academic x-ray image interpretation prepares students for the workplace, shapes the classificatory interpretation of ab(normal) anatomy, manages ambiguity through embodied expectations and bodily norms, and cultivates body-machine relations