Radiographers push for six-year training to boost imaging quality, specialist skills

The Ghana Society of Radiographers is calling on the Allied Health Professions Council and the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission GTEC to extend the 4-year training of Radiographers in Ghana to six years as recommended by the West African Health Organisation to meet the desired imaging excellence in the country.

The association says the move will afford Higher Level Radiographers the opportunity to advance their roles in specialising into Modality-specific imaging, Image interpretation, Research, Teaching, Administration and other Radiological sub-specializations.

Products from the six-year training according to the Ghana Society of Radiographers will be the bedrock in moving from Generalist to Specialist at a postgraduate level.

In his welcome address at the HARRIET DUAH QUIZ COMPETITION as part of the celebration of the 130th World Radiography Day of the Ghana Society of Radiographers (GSR), the President of the GSR, Dr. Prince Rockson ( Togbe Kpegba Agbakpe I) noted that:

“If we are looking at imaging excellence then we need to look at people who are so abreast with almost all the things. I am saying that the four-year training programme is inadequate for this whole modality. Some schools are training imaging specific modality, somebody is doing ultrasound for four years and somebody is looking at all these modalities for four years. So, I am calling on the various institutions with the Allied Health Professional Council and the GTEC to harmonize the curriculum at the first-degree level so that we can stop those pseudo specialisations at the first-degree level. We don’t specialize at first degree”.

He added “We need appropriately trained professionals at the various specialized levels to handle patients in embracing the global technological advancement’’. School supplies. The 8th of November marks the day set aside by the world to commemorate the discovery of X-Rays by Prof. Conrad Roentgen in 1895; and how this discovery revolutionized medical practice as we know it today.

It is a day which, internationally, is referred to as World Radiography Day, and is celebrated around the globe annually. It is a commemorative day marked by events that underscore the role played by the discovery, and to reassess the Quality of services derived from the use of X-rays, and the Technological advancements made to enhance safe and effective use of the discovery.

The Day brings together, and strengthens the unity of purpose and interdependence of the various professions that deal with the clinical use of X-rays and other energies in visualizing the internal structures of the body.‎

Further, the purpose of this commemoration is to promote Radiographers are the interface between imaging technology and patients and are professionally accountable for patients’ physical and psychological wellbeing, immediately prior to, during and following imaging investigations or therapy procedures.

Radiographers take an active role in the justification and optimisation of medical imaging and radio therapeutic procedures, and have a critical position and vital role in the radiation safety of patients, carers and relatives in accordance with the “As Low As Reasonably Practicable (ALARP)” principle and relevant legislation.

Globally, recent developments have seen an increase integration of complex machine learning algorithms and artificially intelligent systems (AI) within medical safety, equipment operation, image review and treatment planning processes.

Adoption of AI in medical imaging and radiation therapy requires radiographers to adapt their imaging and treatment practices to ensure new technology is being implemented, used and regulated appropriately, based on high quality research evidence, maximising benefits to their patients.

Changes in practice must be underpinned by appropriate education and training for these professions and to attract the youth, sustain and perpetuate the profession for the benefit of the society.

Source: citinewsroom.com