Knight K J, Beasley M, McConnell J, O'Regan T, Alexander C M, Donovan T, Probs H, Reeve R, Sharma M, Knapp K M, McNair H A
Health and Care Professions, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK.
Radiotherapy, Leeds Cancer Centre, St. James's University Hospital, UK & Leeds Institute of Medical Research, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.
Radiography (Lond). 2025 Jul;31(4):102959. doi: 10.1016/j.radi.2025.102959. Epub 2025 Apr 25.
Research is vital for diagnostic and therapeutic radiographers, providing the evidence base for disease diagnosis, screening, surveillance, radiotherapy planning, delivery, and treatment. Despite its benefits in improving patient outcomes and imaging services, little is known about the research culture barriers and facilitators within the UK radiography workforce.
An online survey with three sections was created, including demographic questions and a validated research and development culture index to measure research capacity, equality, diversity, and inclusivity. The survey was distributed between May and October 2023 to radiographers and nuclear medicine technologists via email and social media. Mixed methods analysis was performed using statistical analysis (R version 4.2.2) and qualitative analysis utilising a coding framework for open-ended responses.
A total of 970 completed surveys were returned: 629 diagnostic radiographers, 306 therapeutic radiographers and 35 nuclear medicine technologists (∼3 % of the UK workforce). Of respondents, 47.4 % had completed or were undertaking a postgraduate qualification and 41.1 % had engaged in research. The barriers to research yielded similar trends over all the radiographers. 'Lack of protected time at work', 'other roles taking priority' and 'lack of funding' being key barriers. The only enablers that scored less than 90 % agreement were 'research encouraged by manager', 'experienced external colleagues able to supervise', and the 'desire to prove a theory or hunch' and 'research written into the role description'.
Research remains underdeveloped in UK radiography roles. This national survey highlights that currently less than half of the UK radiographers have experience in research within their role. Protected time, funding, managerial support, and supervision access are crucial to embedding research into practice.
Greater support is needed for radiographers and managers to overcome barriers and promote radiographer-led research.
研究对于诊断和治疗放射技师至关重要，为疾病诊断、筛查、监测、放射治疗计划制定、实施及治疗提供了证据基础。尽管研究在改善患者治疗效果和影像服务方面具有诸多益处，但对于英国放射技师队伍中的研究文化障碍及促进因素却知之甚少。
创建了一个包含三个部分的在线调查问卷，其中包括人口统计学问题以及一个经过验证的研发文化指数，用于衡量研究能力、平等性、多样性和包容性。该调查于2023年5月至10月通过电子邮件和社交媒体分发给放射技师和核医学技术人员。采用统计分析（R版本4.2.2）进行混合方法分析，并利用编码框架对开放式回答进行定性分析。
共收到970份完整的调查问卷：629名诊断放射技师、306名治疗放射技师和35名核医学技术人员（约占英国放射技师队伍的3%）。在受访者中，47.4%已完成或正在攻读研究生学历，41.1%曾参与过研究。所有放射技师群体在研究障碍方面呈现出相似趋势。“工作中缺乏受保护时间”“其他职责优先”以及“缺乏资金”是主要障碍。得分低于90%认同度的促进因素仅有“经理鼓励开展研究”“有经验的外部同事能够提供指导”以及“渴望验证理论或直觉”和“研究写入岗位职责描述”。
英国放射技师岗位的研究工作仍不够完善。这项全国性调查表明，目前英国放射技师中不到一半的人在其岗位上有研究经验。受保护时间、资金、管理支持以及获得指导对于将研究融入实践至关重要。
需要为放射技师和管理人员提供更多支持，以克服障碍并促进由放射技师主导的研究。
