Advanced Practice amongst Therapeutic Radiographers/ Radiation Therapists. Exploring the potential of the four pillars: preliminary results from a European perspective

Oliveira, C, Barbosa, B, Couto, J, Bravo, I, Hughes, C, McFadden, S, Khine, Ricardo and McNair, H (2022) Advanced Practice amongst Therapeutic Radiographers/ Radiation Therapists. Exploring the potential of the four pillars: preliminary results from a European perspective. Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences, 53 (4). S26. ISSN 19398654

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Abstract

Introduction New roles have been developed under the umbrella of Advanced Practice (AP) amongst Therapeutic Radiographers/ Radiation Therapists (TR/RTTs). AP roles plays a key part in enhancing capacity and capability within the oncology workforce, streamlining patient pathways. This study aimed to investigate the profiles of advanced practitioners using the four pillars of AP (clinical practice, education, research, leadership and management) in current practice and education. Methods A qualitative study design using online semi-structured interviews was undertaken. Convenience sampling was used to recruit different stakeholders. Two pilot interviews were performed, and minor amendments were applied to the interview guides. 23 interviews were conducted by the same researcher during June and July 2022, lasting, on average, 48 minutes. Full verbatim independently transcriptions were analysed thematically (NVivo v1.5.2) after member checking by interviewees. Results The interviewees were advanced TR/RTTs practitioners, managers, educators, students, and professional bodies representatives from 14 European countries. Several themes emerged. Stakeholders valued the importance of the four pillars of AP but recognized the lack of dedicated time for research pillar. As such stakeholders perceived this could affect evidence-based practice in radiotherapy, compromise the role development of the profession and consequently the quality of care delivered to cancer patients. Some related factors considered to hinder the practice across all pillars were: professional recruitment and retention issues, lack of education support, inconsistent level of practice at national/European levels, lack of recognition and regulation of the level, variability of AP roles among others. Conclusion Education and training support allied with regulation of the AP roles is an urgent need, especially in pillars of research, and leadership and management. Standardisation of AP level is recommended at national and European levels. This is of prime importance to meet the ever-increasing complex needs of cancer patients.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	** Article version: AM ** Embargo end date: 02-12-2023 ** From Elsevier via Jisc Publications Router ** History: epub 02-12-2022; issued 31-12-2022. ** Licence for AM version of this article starting on 02-12-2023: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
SWORD Depositor:	JISC Router
Depositing User:	JISC Router
Date Deposited:	15 Dec 2022 10:22
Last Modified:	15 Dec 2022 10:22
URI:	https://bnu.repository.guildhe.ac.uk/id/eprint/18627

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