Background: Approximately one in seven of the British population has some degree of hearing loss. Studies have found that the deaf or hard of hearing often find communication in a health setting unsatisfactory. The aim of this study was to investigate the experiences of deaf people in the diagnostic imaging department.

Methods: A semi-structured interview technique was used with small numbers of radiographers and deaf patients. Transcripts were analysed using thematic content analysis.

Results: Deaf patients experienced difficulties at reception and with the system for calling patients. Examinations that required the patient to follow verbal instructions caused communication problems for both patients and radiographers. A high proportion of the deaf subjects had had an MRI scan, and nearly all of them found this a distressing experience. Radiographers had some awareness of communicating with the deaf, although nearly all significantly overestimated the percentage of words understood by patients who lip-read.

Conclusion: Patients experienced problems with communication. In some cases these were such that informed consent may not have been given. Recommendations made for future practice include deaf awareness training for all staff, the installation of equipment that gives visual signals for breath holding, and extra time allowed for explanation to deaf patients before imaging procedures.

this qualitative study investigated multiple sclerosis (ms) patients' holistic experience of magnetic resonance imaging (mri). with support from the ms society, eight individuals with ms were interviewed using unstructured, tape-recorded interviews.

the holistic experience was overall a negative one. the most negative aspects being cited as the lack of support and information around the time of diagnosis. the loss of control felt by individuals was also an import ant issue, which led patients to pursue self-empowerment by actively seeking out information and support.

the study suggests improvement in information to patients attending for mri is essential, along with adequate support (including details about the ms society) being offered at the time of receiving confirmed diagnosis and results. the study shows that for some patients, there is a long lasting negative effect from the scan, which impacts on other activities, as well as affecting the patients' willingness to undergo future imaging.

the challenge of making life better for the paediatric oncology patient by correctly identifying the specific psychosocial needs of the individual patient is dealt with in this paper. among the topics discussed are the inclusion of the patient's parents in this process, the role of therapeutic play, and the use of a pain scale as a successful intervention. stein's understanding of empathy is dealt with in some detail.

This paper will explore the radiographer's role within the chain of evidence when imaging children suspected of having received non-accidental injuries (NAI). Although other authors have addressed technical issues in relation to NAI, no one has specifically focused on the radiographer's unique role in relation to their contribution to the chain of evidence or on the fact that radiographers may be required to attend Court proceedings at a later date.

ultrasound serves as an essential adjunct to mammography and clinical examination in symptomatic breast evaluation and is the initial imaging modality of choice in some patient groups.

in this review the role of ultrasound in the assessment of the symptomatic breast is discussed and examples of a variety of breast pathologies illustrated.

the nature of professional expertise has been widely debated in the literature. however it has been examined primarily from a dichotomy of perspectives – either from an experiential or a cognitive focus, without the attempt to integrate these, and other aspects of expertise into an integrated and coherent model. this article series explicates the nature of professional expertise specifically in the field of medical imaging. it represents a section of the outcomes of a larger study which formulated and illustrated an integrated model of professional expertise also applicable to other professions. it has been written in two parts, part i of which overviews the study and presents two of the five aspects of expertise identified. part ii presents the other three aspects.

the study used data gathered from interviews and critical incident recording from expert medical imaging practitioners in auckland, new zealand, over an extended time frame.

findings showed that while expertise is situated in the context of practice, it incorporates several dimensions working together in an integrated, seamless fashion through the medium of the individual practitioner. the participants identified and illustrated that expertise in medical imaging is a synthesis of a particular knowledge base, the cognitive processes, personality and internal processes of the practitioner. it manifests through, and builds on, interpersonal relationships with patients and other professionals, and is expressed through the actual doing of professional practice. it is through the reflexive examination of practice and management of change that professionals may transform these integrated aspects into the qualitative state of expertise.

Purpose: To establish whether or not the quantity and quality of information available on the internet about the career of diagnostic radiography is of a good or satisfactory standard.

Methods: Four search engines with four different search terms were used and the top twenty hits for each group were read. The applicable sites were scored to determine the quality of each site.

Results: Only 12% (37) of the 320 sites read were applicable. Out of the 37 there were 4 sites that gained a good score from the scoring sheet and therefore were classed as high quality, but 21 out of 37 sites did gain half marks or over.

Conclusions: In conclusion, the quantity and quality of sites about the career of radiography was not of a satisfactory standard and more attention from both the government and professional bodies is needed if the profession is to gain attention and the staff shortage problem is to be solved.

this paper describes some radiological features of osteogenesis imperfecta and temporary brittle bone disease. both conditions cause fractures in early childhood that the parents cannot explain. they can underlie the finding of unsuspected fractures when x-rays are done for other reasons, including fractures of different ages. both can readily be confused with non-accidental injury.

in these disorders any type of fracture can occur; no fracture pattern makes bone disease more or less likely. metaphyseal fractures, often regarded as specific for non-accidental injury, also have a wide range of other causes including several bone diseases. osteopenia cannot be reliably used in diagnosis, not least because it can be absent in some bone diseases such as osteogenesis imperfecta. wormian bones, if present in excess, are a valuable pointer to osteogenesis imperfecta but their absence does not eliminate this diagnosis.

there is growing evidence for the identification of temporary brittle bone disease as a distinctive disorder with its own characteristic clinical and radiological findings.

Aim: This paper discusses the design, implementation and evaluation of an electronic version of an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (e-OSCE) for student assessment in undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in diagnostic imaging.

Assessment design: Web-authoring software and multimedia manipulation tools were used to design interactive web pages. The use of this software, in addition to the authors' experience of assessment, permitted the development of a dynamic environment rather than cross-application switching between various software packages.

Method and data collection: Over a 6 month period, the researchers participated as facilitators in six action research cycles of problem solving, involving 33 students. The students were either undergraduate diagnostic radiographers, or practitioners studying for a postgraduate qualification in medical ultrasound. Data was collected using the following sources inter alia; reflective diaries, invigilators' notes and observations during the assessment process and student evaluation forms.

Results: Each of the action research cycles resulted in the authors developing and further enhancing the overall design of the web e-OSCE, in terms of user-friendliness, interactivity and navigation facilities. Although students expressed initial anxieties, they rated their overall experience positively.

Conclusion: Ultimately, this form of assessment is considered to be cost effective in terms of staff and equipment resources, as well as student preference. The researchers would recommend the use of e-OSCEs as an effective means of assessing various learning outcomes, at differing academic levels, in both undergraduate and postgraduate imaging programmes.

There is an increasing trend in higher education for institutions to view themselves as competitors. This has led to mounting pressures for each college and university to provide high quality courses in order to obtain a continuous supply of able students seeking entry. Quality in academic terms is a controversial concept, with different stakeholders each having their own view on what constitutes quality.

This study's primary objective was to design and implement a way of measuring the quality of the courses offered by a university department, in order to highlight areas in which additional funds need to be allocated to improve performance.

Following a review of literature on the subject, it was apparent that measurement of customer perceptions of quality is important in any service organisation. A questionnaire was therefore designed, based on Zeithaml et al's SERVQUAL instrument, to measure the difference between student expectations and perceptions of quality of service delivery.

The results indicate areas where the university is failing to meet student expectations and provide a framework for managers to use and redirect resources. In addition, measurement of customer perceptions of service quality can be used over a period of time to monitor the impact of quality improvement activities initiated through an organisation's strategic planning process.

Medical Imaging students work under the close supervision of qualified Medical Radiation Technologists (MRTs), or Radiographers. In the New Zealand setting, some MRTs are formally appointed as clinical tutors by an educational institution providing medical imaging education, while others are senior staff who have supervision and some aspects of assessment incorporated within their job role. This article proposes a model of clinical supervision that supports and extends medical imaging students at their clinical placement.

The model includes discussion relating to modes, scope, boundaries and relationships within clinical supervision, and also outlines important aspects within the actual process of supervision. This includes teaching, assessment and feedback.

The model maintains the importance of critical analysis, clinical reasoning and reflection within the supervision relationship. It focuses on a form of professional practice and teaching which encourages the development of professional, adaptable MRTs, who have the ability to incorporate principles and theories into their practice.

a rare case of axillary artery injury following a displaced surgical neck of humerus fracture is presented. the epidemiology and pathoanatomy of the condition are described. a literature review is presented emphasising the need for prompt diagnosis and treatment.

An X-ray request is an essential vehicle for communicating clinical information from the referring clinician to the radiographer, responsible for undertaking the procedure, who requires sufficient information to justify an exposure. Abbreviations and illegible handwriting can reduce this expected level of communication. Abbreviations were included on 81% of the request forms audited in this study and 9% of request forms were considered to be illegible. Radiographers have a high acceptance level of abbreviations compared to illegible handwriting. This study demonstrated that abbreviations could have more than one meaning to individual radiographers. Thus radiographers could waste valuable clinical time locating the referring clinician to clarify the implied meaning. The incorrect interpretation of the meaning of an abbreviation could lead to an erroneous examination being undertaken with subsequent medico-legal implications.

Spindle cell lipoma (SCL) is a rare neoplasm occurring predominantly in male patients between the ages of 45 and 70 years. We present a case of SCL arising in the sternomastoid muscle of a 46 year old male patient, which was completely excised at surgery. (Only 4 cases of SCL have been described within skeletal muscle and SCL has not previously been reported within sternomastoid.) The histological and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging features of this lesion are described and the differential diagnosis is discussed, with particular reference to its potential confusion with liposarcoma.

The nature of professional expertise has been widely debated in the literature. However it has been examined primarily from a dichotomy of perspectives – either from an experiential or a cognitive focus, without the attempt to integrate these, and other aspects of expertise into an integrated and coherent model. This article series explicates the nature of professional expertise specifically in the field of medical imaging. It represents a section of the outcomes of a larger study which formulated and illustrated an integrated model of professional expertise also applicable to other professions. It has been written in two parts, Part I of which overviews the study and presents two of the five aspects of expertise identified. Part II presents the other three aspects.

The study used data gathered from interviews and critical incident recording from expert medical imaging practitioners in Auckland, New Zealand, over an extended time frame.

Findings showed that while expertise is situated in the context of practice, it incorporates several dimensions working together in an integrated, seamless fashion through the medium of the individual practitioner. The participants identified and illustrated that expertise in medical imaging is a synthesis of a particular knowledge base, the cognitive processes, personality and internal processes of the practitioner. It manifests through, and builds on, interpersonal relationships with patients and other professionals, and is expressed through the actual doing of professional practice. It is through the reflexive examination of practice and management of change that professionals may transform these integrated aspects into the qualitative state of expertise.