How is the reporting radiographer role portrayed in published studies? A scoping review.

OBJECTIVES

Radiographers have been undertaking reporting tasks since the 1980's with a wealth of evidence published to support this practice. Radiographers have since developed skills in reporting all body systems, from all referral sources across a range of modalities. Radiographer reporting is now considered established and demand for radiographers in this role is rising to meet service demand. Reporting radiographers work as part of multi-professional image reporting teams, it is unclear how the radiographer role is perceived as part of this model. The aim was to review peer-reviewed literature to evaluate how the role of the reporting radiographer is portrayed and how the relationship between the two imaging professions has developed.

KEY FINDINGS

Language used to discuss the role of the reporting radiographer has changed over time. There is progress demonstrated from the practice of radiographer reporting being considered contentious or opposed to accepted and established. Recent publications focus on the importance utilising the skills of all multi-disciplinary team members in workforce structure. This features prominently when discussing future workforce design, such as with the Cancer workforce strategy and the development of the national standards for musculoskeletal reporting.

CONCLUSION

Published literature has highlighted a move towards acceptance of the reporting radiographer role. Multi-disciplinary team working, utilising the skills of all imaging team members, is essential to the success and sustainability of the imaging workforce moving forwards.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Reporting by radiographers is established and will be prominent in the reporting workforce as part of long-term workforce planning, considering skills mix to form effective and sustainable multidisciplinary reporting teams.