The University of Salford is steering a global effort to develop new elearning resources for radiographers who are caring for coronavirus patients on the frontline.
The initiative, launched on Wednesday 22 April, will see the sector curate a library of free digital information and an online support system, focusing on specific training and advice for radiographers who are conducting mobile chest X-rays of those suffering with COVID-19.
The project is being led by Peter Hogg, professor of radiography at the University of Salford; and Ken Holmes, senior lecturer at the University of Cumbria; developed in close partnership with the European Federation of Radiography Societies (EFRS) and the International Society of Radiographers and Radiologic Technologists (ISRRT), with significant input from the Italian Federation of Scientific Radiographers Societies (FASTeR), Society and College of Radiographers (UK) and elearning for Health (eLfH, UK).
The academics have coordinated a multi-national team of more than 40 people, including radiographers and radiography leaders from the UK, Ireland, Italy, Malta, Singapore, Switzerland and the U.S, all of who between them have volunteered over a thousand hours of time and expertise.
“As the coronavirus pandemic has spread, the demand for CT scans and mobile chest X-rays has increased, but not all radiographers are up to date with this technique,” said Professor Hogg.
“Providing this online information and support resource means that tens of thousands of hours can be saved across the world in creating training materials and delivering training sessions and more time can therefore be spent on caring for patients. It also means we can standardise the advice given so everyone receives the same information on correct procedures, use of PPE, etc. However, the website does carry a caveat, in that variations could exist between countries and readers are advised to check national and local policies where they exist,” he adds.
“From conception to publication, the system was developed within 16 days – a fantastic achievement.”
Topics the resources will cover include:
- Minimising risks through infection control, use of PPE and effective communication
- How to safely use mobile equipment, optimising images while ensuring patient and radiographer safety
- The radiographic procedure (including how to prepare for the procedure, carrying out the x-ray of the chest, what to do in post-examination)
- How to assess the images, interpret them and report on findings
The next stage of the project will require the organisation of webinars to discuss each aspect of the resource library. The first of these has already been set up, with over 600 attendees registered so far.
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