Students on the new Postgraduate Medical Imaging programme at Queen Margaret University came together for a day of student-led presentations focused on the role of the radiographer in advanced practice.
The Master’s programme was developed to meet the needs for postgraduate study in Scotland.
MRI, CT and clinical reporting modules first started in September 2016 and have attracted radiographers from across Scotland.
Consultant Radiographer, Jonathan McConnell, spoke to the students about his role and added: “The course is aiming to develop radiographer skills and fill gaps that are present in Scotland.
“With radiologist shortages, access to services for people in rural populations requires a different way of working. These developments always begin small, but over time will grow to provide the necessary knowledge to enable service evolution and meet the demands of a constantly changing patient demographic in these fiscally demanding times.”
The course was joined by two radiographers from Singapore who had been funded by their Ministry of Health to shadow a radiographer reporting service in the UK.
They wanted to experience the type of discussions being had at postgraduate level in areas of reporting and advanced practice.
Singapore currently has a commenting system for ED imaging but wish to develop this to a formal reporting service.
Programme Leader, Simon Holmes, explains: “Students begin the programme by studying the principles of their chosen specialty and then consider issues surrounding advanced practice and service development.
“The latter can be done as a work-based component tailored to the student’s individual practice. It is vital that radiographers have opportunities for postgraduate study and practice development especially if the needs of a truly person centred service are to be met.”
The next intake will be in September 2017.
For more details please email [email protected] or visit http://www.qmu.ac.uk/rad/courses.htm