Hostname: page-component-8448b6f56d-cfpbc Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-19T17:09:45.879Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The research agenda and the role of the therapeutic radiographer: The College of Radiographers perspective

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 June 2009

Rachel Harris  and
Charlotte Beardmore
Rachel Harris*
Affiliation:
The Society and College of Radiographers, Mill Street, London, UK
Charlotte Beardmore
Affiliation:
The Society and College of Radiographers, Mill Street, London, UK
*
Correspondence to: Rachel Harris, Professional Officer for Research, The Society and College of Radiographers, 207 Providence Square, Mill Street, London, SE1 2EW, UK. E-mail: rachelh@sor.org
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

This article reflects on the influences on current radiotherapy practice and the key role that Therapeutic Radiographers have in the management of cancer care and the delivery of treatments. In particular the Cancer Reform Strategy is discussed which clearly highlights the many challenges related to cancer. Changes in societal and scientific understanding will demand that the most appropriate and evidence-based care is provided for patients, underscoring the need for evidence through research, to underpin every aspect of daily work if patient outcomes are to continue to improve. In October 2005, the Society and College of Radiographers published: ‘Research and the Radiography Profession—A Strategy and Five Year Plan’. This is an ambitious document, which sets out expectations for the appreciation and use of substantiated research involvement at all levels of practice. Sections of this document and the relevance to radiotherapy practice are discussed. Alongside this, the career progression model for radiography continued to be driven forward with support from the Department of Health. This model describing higher levels of practice for radiographers, at advanced and consultant levels, clearly identified research as a key requirement for the profession. The guidance document in 2006, from the Society and College of Radiographers ‘Positioning Therapeutic Radiographers within Cancer Services: Delivering Patient Centred Care’, further articulated these expert roles, in response to the changing drivers within cancer and across the radiotherapy pathway. In conclusion, research must become a fundamental component of everyday radiotherapy practice as it will verify professional standards of care and sustain the future of the profession. To contribute to the wider cancer agenda it is imperative that all therapeutic radiographers, from practitioner to consultant level, participate in and lead research.

Keywords

researchevidence-based practiceresearch strategyresearch activityrole development
Type
Original Article
Information
Journal of Radiotherapy in Practice , Volume 8 , Issue 2 , June 2009 , pp. 99 - 104
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2009

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

The Society of Radiographers. Amended Memorandum and New Articles of Association and Members’ Handbook. London: SoR, 2004 (quote page 5).Google Scholar
Department of Health. Supporting Research and Development in the NHS. London: DH, 1991.Google Scholar
The College of Radiographers. A Strategy for Research. London: CoR, 1994.Google Scholar
The College of Radiographers. Statements of Professional Conduct. London: CoR, 2004.Google Scholar
Health Professions Council. HPC Standards of Proficiency—Radiographers. London: HPC, 2007.Google Scholar
Price, R.Focus on research training. Radiography Today, October Edition, 1994.Google Scholar
The College of Radiographers. Learning and Development Framework for Clinical Imaging and Oncology. London: CoR, 2007.Google Scholar
The College of Radiographers. A Strategy for the Education and Professional Development of Radiographers. London: CoR, 2002.Google Scholar
Price, R, Paterson, A.Consultant practitioners in radiography—a discussion paper. Radiography 2002; 8: 97–106.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Nixon, S.Professionalism in radiography. Radiography 2001; 7: 31–35.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Challen, V, Kaminski, S, Harris, P.Research-mindedness in the radiography profession. Radiography 1996; 2: 139–151.Google Scholar
Harris, R.Find and Deliver: research and practice in therapeutic radiography. Radiography 2000; 6: 225–226.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Smith, T.Evidence based medical imaging. Radiography 2008; 14: 233–237.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
The College of Radiographers. Research and the Radiography Profession: A Strategy Five Year Plan. London: CoR 2005 (quotes pages 7 and 15).Google Scholar
Department of Health. Cancer Reform Strategy. London: DH 2007.Google Scholar
Department of Health. The National Radiotherapy Advisory Group's report: Radiotherapy: developing a world class service for England. London: DH 2007.Google Scholar
Royal College of Radiologists. Re-audit of waiting times. London: RCR 2005.Google Scholar
Department of Health. Meeting the Challenge: A Strategy for the Allied Health Professions. London: DH 2000.Google Scholar
ACORRN Research Radiographer Working Party. Gap analysis of role definition and training needs for therapeutic research radiographers in the UK. Br J Radiol 2007; 80: 693–701.Google Scholar
UK Clinical Research Collaboration. Developing the best research professionals—qualified graduate nurses recommendations for preparing and supporting clinical academic nurses of the future. London: UKCRC 2007.Google Scholar
Lee, N, Gambling, T, Hogg, P.Leadership in research. Radiography 2004; 10: 69–73.Google Scholar
Gambling, T, Brown, P, Hogg, P.Research in our practice—a requirement not an option: a discussion paper. Radiography 2003; 9: 71–76.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
National Health Service. The NHS Plan: a plan for investment, a plan for reform. London: NHS 2000.Google Scholar
National Institute for Health Research. Research in the NHS—HR Good Practice Resource Pack. London: NIHR 2007.Google Scholar
Department of Health. Best research for best health. London: DH 2006.Google Scholar
Department of Health. The National Radiotherapy Data Set (RTDS) Project—background information. London: DH 2007.Google Scholar
Royal College of Radiologists. Radiotherapy Dose Fractionation. London: RCR 2006.Google Scholar
The College of Radiographers. Positioning Therapeutic Radiographers within Cancer Services: Delivering Patient Centred Care. London: CoR 2006.Google Scholar