Developing imaging reporting by Radiology Practitioner Assistants Article

Developing imaging reporting by Radiology Practitioner Assistants - Article Example However, as with any change there was resistance to the changing developments on the role of RPA’s and minimal acceptance of the benefits in speeding up radiology reporting, with particular emphasis in radiology reporting in the case of accidents and emergencies that came from the increased role of RPA assistance in radiology reporting (Williams et al, 2005). The advent of imaging technology as a diagnostic aid is nearly a century old and certain practices evolved with the reporting traditions in radiology. These practices have created the requirement of a medical report. Statutes relating to the medical report to accompany radiological findings have made it essentially the domain of radiologists, negating any intrusion on the medical report by radiographers. This has led to a situation, wherein radiographers find that despite developments in their role whereby they are encouraged to point out their imaging findings, they are forced to avoid making any comments on the medical significance of their imaging findings. In short this makes their imaging findings deficit in supporting clinical decisions (Robinson, 1998). In the United States of America this practice in radiological reporting has led to a limited role in the advanced functioning of RPAs to three key areas under the supervision of a radiologist. These key areas are responsibility for the assessment of patients, patient management and education of patients; evaluation of image quality, initial image observations, and the communication of these observations to the supervising radiologist, and performing certain selected radiology procedures that include fluoroscopy. RPAs are not allowed to interpret images, make diagnosis, and prescribe medication or therapies, which remain in the realm of radiologists (The Radiologist Assistant: Improving Patient care While Providing Workforce