Image quality preferences among radiographers and radiologists. A conjoint analysis
by Borgny Ween
Published in Radiography. Volume 11, Issue 3, Aug 2005, Pages 191–197.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.radi.2005.03.002
On 25hottest list at ScienceDirect Oct-Dec 2008
Key words:
Experimental study, Digital imaging, Digital radiography, Measuring image quality, Post-processing, Radiography (diagnostic)
Purpose
The aim of this study was to investigate the image quality preferences among radiographers and... more
Purpose
The aim of this study was to investigate the image quality preferences among radiographers and radiologists. The radiographers' preferences are mainly related to technical parameters, whereas radiologists assess image quality based on diagnostic value.
Methods
A conjoint analysis was undertaken to survey image quality preferences; the study included 37 respondents: 19 radiographers and 18 radiologists. Digital urograms were post-processed into 8 images with different properties of image quality for 3 different patients. The respondents were asked to rank the images according to their personally perceived subjective image quality.
Results
Nearly half of the radiographers and radiologists were consistent in their ranking of the image characterised as ‘very best image quality’. The analysis showed, moreover, that chosen filtration level and image intensity were responsible for 72% and 28% of the preferences, respectively. The corresponding figures for each of the two professions were 76% and 24% for the radiographers, and 68% and 32% for the radiologists. In addition, there were larger variations in image preferences among the radiologists, as compared to the radiographers.
Conclusions
Radiographers revealed a more consistent preference than the radiologists with respect to image quality. There is a potential for image quality improvement by developing sets of image property criteria.
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Download (.pdf) Optimal Use of Automatic Exposure Control in CT
by Borgny Ween
Published in Radiologic Technology March/April 2010; 81: 309-317
Key words: Image quality, Optimization, Pediatric radiography, Radiographic technology, Radiographer, Radiation doses
Background
Computed tomography (CT) examinations account for a significant portion of individuals’ increasing... more
Background
Computed tomography (CT) examinations account for a significant portion of individuals’ increasing exposure to medical radiation. Automatic exposure control (AEC) was introduced in CT scanners to decrease patient doses while maintaining appropriate image quality.
Objective
To identify areas for AEC optimization and suggest practical optimization methods.
Methods
A literature review was conducted to assess current knowledge regarding tube current modulation and AEC in CT from peer-reviewed journals and publications from national and international organizations involved in medical imaging and radiation protection.
Results
Four important aspects of AEC use were identified: interaction of user-selectable parameters with AEC, patient positioning and AEC, specific challenges with patient size groups and how to select appropriate input value.
Conclusion
AEC is a useful tool for dose optimization but dose savings are not guaranteed unless the equipment is used properly. Further research is required into optimal use of AEC, particularly for pediatric examinations.
Radiography - A conceptual approach
Original article. Published in 'Radiography', 14(4): 288-293, 2008.
Aim: The purpose of this article is to describe interdisciplinary comparison of the attributes of the concept of... more
Aim: The purpose of this article is to describe interdisciplinary comparison of the attributes of the concept of radiography in health sciences, physics and technology on the grounds of concept analysis.
Background: The concept of radiography is widely used in health sciences, physics and technology. However, the content of the concept may vary. In order to clarify the concept of radiography,
the concept must be systematically examined and defined in linguistic form.
Method: The concept of radiography was analysed by using the evolutionary method of concept analysis. The data were collected through discretionary sampling and consisted of literature and Internet pages. Qualitative content analysis was employed for analysing the data.
Findings: As a result of concept analysis, the concept of radiography in health sciences was determined as expertise of radiographers in the use of radiation, which is dual, dynamic, social and situation-related in nature, and typically based on versatile synthesis. Regarding the attributes identified, the concept of radiography has both similarities and differences between health sciences, physics and technology.
Conclusions: The concept of radiography was found to be more abstract, wider, more complex and more radiographer-centred in health sciences than in other disciplines. The content of the
concept of radiography seems to vary according to the discipline.
Keywords: concept, concept analysis, evolutionary method, radiography
Radiographer's work in Finland - A conceptual review
Original article. Published in 'European Journal of Radiography', 1(2): 61-65, 2009.
Radiographer’s professional title and terms related to radiographer’s work vary between countries, and there has so... more
Radiographer’s professional title and terms related to radiographer’s work vary between countries, and there has so far been little systematic conceptual investigation on the subject. In this article, the content of radiographer’s work and related terminology in a Finnish context are reviewed by means of the HMCD concept analysis method. In addition, the appropriateness of ‘‘nursing’’ is reviewed, as it has traditionally been closely connected to radiographer’s work and education in Finland. Data consisted of literature, expert interviews and written material, and were analysed with qualitative content analysis. Terms describing radiographer’s work were found to be diverse. As a result, a new term, clinical radiography and radiotherapy (CRR), was introduced to label radiographer’s work in Finland. CRR seems to consist of three main aspects: technical radiation usage and radiation protection, patient care and service, and service for a health care context. The results suggest CRR including qualities such as: actions based on theoretical and practicaletechnical expertise of radiographer;guidance by individuality-respectful client-orientation and interactive collaboration; implementation as a process; and emphasis on responsibility for safety and optimizing decision-making. The results support the previous conceptions of the content of radiographer’s work, its multidimensional nature, and demand for expertise. Technical radiation usage and radiation protection seems to be the focal aspect, although the aspect of patient care and service seems to be an essential part of CRR in Finland. The concept of nursing (as defined in nursing science) was not found suitable for describing radiographer’s work in health care in its entirety.
Keywords: radiographer's work, radiography, concept analysis
Development and challenges of a new academic discipline, radiography science
Co-authored with Eeva Liikanen. Original article. Published in 'European Journal of Radiography', 1(3): 81-84, 2009.
Aim: The purpose of this article is to describe and discuss the development and challenges faced by radiography... more
Aim: The purpose of this article is to describe and discuss the development and challenges faced by radiography science as a new academic discipline.
Background: New academic disciplines develop continually from different circumstances and for different purposes. As they develop, they are faced with the challenge of justifying their
status as independent academic disciplines in various ways. Radiography science is one of the youngest disciplines among health sciences in Finland, challenged by the academic
community, society and clinical practice.
Conclusions: Radiography science in Finland has already shown considerable development and achieved many substantial and structural criteria set for independent academic disciplines.
However, resources are still very limited and the profile of radiography science needs to be clarified. Challenges should be considered as inspirational opportunities and takeoff for the
development of radiography science nationally and internationally.
Keywords: radiography science, radiography, education, research
Biomedical scientists' and radiographers' preconditions for evidence-based practice
Co-authored with Eeva Liikanen. Original article. Published in 'Kliininen Radiografiatiede (Journal of Clinical Radiography and Radiotherapy', 5(1): 5-12, 2011 (in English).
This paper aimed to define biomedical scientists’ and radiographers’ preconditions for evidence-based practice,... more
This paper aimed to define biomedical scientists’ and radiographers’ preconditions for evidence-based practice, focusing on research utilization, and to explore their previous and current involvement in research activities.
A questionnaire was developed for this study based on previous studies and an expert panel. The web-based survey was sent to 1,363 biomedical scientists and radiographers at three university hospital laboratories in Finland in autumn 2008. The response rate was 37 % (n = 507). The quantitative data were analyzed by factor analysis and t-test.
The preconditions for evidence-based practice of biomedical scientists and radiographers consisted of knowledge, understanding, attitudes, abilities, self-confidence, support, and resources. Those who participated in research activities had mainly contributed to data collection (50,5 %). They had mostly had research experience during their studies. According to respondents’ experience, time (76,3 %), interest in research (63,1 %), sufficient knowledge of research (60,2 %) enhanced best their participation in research. Previous and current participation in research was prevented by lack of time (88,8 %), knowledge (47,6 %), funding (43,1 %) and motivation (34,7 %). As many as 40,3 % of the respondents reported not to read scientific journals. All characteristics had a connection with all the preconditions for evidence-based practice. The most important characteristics were additional research studies, post, reading scientific journals and participation in research activities.
Reading scientific journals, participation in research activities, leading role, and taking additional research studies seem to be significant promoters of evidence-based practice and research utilization. Evidence-based practice, especially in terms of research utilization, in clinical laboratory practice and radiography in Finland is not yet well-established, and biomedical scientists’ and radiographers’ viewpoints on the role and significance of research evidence and research activities still vary.
Key words: biomedical scientist, evidence-based practice, precondition, radiographer, research activity
Radiographers' preconditions for evidence-based radiography
Co-authored with Eeva Liikanen. Original article. Published in 'Radiography', 16(3): 217-222, 2010.
Evidence-based practice (EBP) is essential in today’s health care, but its establishment requires several... more
Evidence-based practice (EBP) is essential in today’s health care, but its establishment requires several preconditions from individuals and organizations (e.g. knowledge, understanding, attitudes, abilities, self-confidence, support, and resources). Previous studies suggest that radiographers do generate and use evidence in their work, but evidence-based radiography (EBR) is not yet used routinely as established practice, especially in terms of research utilization. This paper aims to describe radiographers’ preconditions for EBR, and their participation in research activities. Main focus is on research utilization. Using an electronic questionnaire developed for this study, a survey was conducted: data collected from Finnish radiographers and radiotherapists (NZ438) were analysed both statistically and qualitatively. The final response rate was 39%. The results suggest radiographers’ preconditions for EBR to consist of knowledge of research, significance of research activities, researchorientated way of working, and support. In addition, adequate resourcing is essential. Reading scientific journals, participation in research activities, a higher degree of education, and senior post seem to be significant promoters of EBR and research utilization. The results support the notion that EBR, and especially research utilization, are not yet wellestablished in Finland, and radiographers’ viewpoints concerning the role and significance of research evidence and research activities still seem to vary.
Keywords: evidence-based radiography, radiographer
Seeing inside the past
by Don Walker
Natasha Powers, Michael Henderson, Don Walker and Paul Bland, 2010 Synergy, 10-13.