Interpretation of trauma radiographs by radiographers and nurses in the UK: a comparative study

The purpose of this study was to identify the number of hospitals employing nurses and radiographers formally to undertake radiographic interpretation of trauma images and to compare the education undertaken by these professionals and any limitations imposed. A cross-sectional questionnaire survey of nurse and radiographer managers responsible for Accident and Emergency services within National Health Service hospitals in the UK was undertaken in January 2002. A total of 526 questionnaires were distributed. Response rates of 75.3% (n=198/263) and 69.2% (n=182/263) were received from radiographer and nurse managers, respectively. 96 nurse managers (52.7%, n=96/182) indicated that nurses within their departments were formally interpreting radiographs as part of their extended role whereas only 68 radiography managers (34.3%, n=68/198) indicated that radiographers were undertaking this role. Education to support radiographic interpretation varied markedly with 92.6% (n=63/68) of radiographers having undertaken a postgraduate qualification in image interpretation. In contrast, nurse education at all levels was more generic to the nursing role. The range of examinations which nurses and radiographers were permitted to interpret also varied markedly. Radiographic interpretation is undertaken by both nurses and radiographers. However, there is interprofessional and intraprofessional inconsistency in the range of examinations they are permitted to interpret and the level of education provided to support this role. Consequently, it can be surmised that national variation in service delivery and quality exists and a review of current service delivery strategies is recommended.