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Introduction: Various national solutions have been considered and implemented to address the factors which limit radiographer engagement in conducting research. Nevertheless, national literature continues to suggest that radiographer engagement in research remains low. The aim of this study was to extend the existing evidence base by conducting an international survey to assess diagnostic radiographers and therapeutic radiographers involvement with, barriers to and support mechanisms for research., Methods: Data collection was obtained via an online questionnaire which was distributed by the International Society of Radiographers and Radiologic Technologists (ISRRT). The study population included an international sample of qualified diagnostic radiographers and therapeutic radiographers across clinical and academic contexts in a variety of different roles such as clinical practice, management, education and research., Results: In total, 420 diagnostic radiographers and therapeutic radiographers completed the survey. Multiple reasons were identified that were considered to inhibit respondents from conducting research. 69.3% indicated a combination of reasons for lack of engagement with research, rather than one single issue. Examples of reasons include: lack of time, insufficient research funding, limited research expertise, and lack of a suitable mentorship scheme., Conclusion: A minor segment of survey respondents indicated involvement in research activity. Lack of dedicated time to research, mentors, and funding were among the main barriers to conduct research. Further research is required to explore what solutions are available to overcoming the barriers., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Background: Patients treated for lung cancer (LC) often experience locoregional failure after initial treatment. Due to technological advances, thoracic reirradiation (re-RT) has become a viable treatment option. We sought to investigate the use of thoracic re-RT in LC patients over a time period characterized by technological advances in a large, multi-center cohort., Methods and Materials: LC patients treated with thoracic re-RT in two University Hospitals from 2010-2020 were identified. Clinical variables and RT data were extracted from the medical records and treatment planning systems. Overall survival (OS) was calculated from the last day of re-RT until death or last follow up., Results: 296 patients (small cell LC n=30, non-small cell LC n=266) were included. Three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy was the RT technique used most frequently (63%), and 86% of all patients were referred for re-RT with palliative treatment intent. During the second half of the study period, the use of thoracic re-RT increased in general, more patients received curative re-RT, and there was an increased use of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT). Median time between initial RT and re-RT was 18 months (range 1-213 months). Only 83/296 patients had combined treatment plans that allowed for registration of combined doses to organs at risk (OAR). Most of the combined doses to OAR were below recommendations from guidelines. Multivariate analysis showed superior OS (p<0.05) in patients treated with curative intent, SBRT or intensity modulated radiation therapy or had excellent performance status prior to re-RT., Conclusions: The use of re-RT increased in the second half of the study period, although 2020 did not follow the trend. The use of SBRT and IMRT became more frequent over the years, yet the majority received palliative re-RT. Combined dose plans were only created for one third of the patients., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Introduction: While there has been strong emphasis on enhancing interprofessional education and interprofessional care in the published literature, there is relatively little literature focused on advancing interprofessional research. In extrapolating from the current frameworks of interprofessional collaboration (IPC), it becomes clear that the core competencies of IPC are transferable to research teams. The aim of this paper is to present our experience of an international research team framed within core competencies for IPC., Methods: A simplified narrative inquiry approach was used to share the experience of an international research team framed within six core competencies of IPC., Results and Discussion: By way of our international research collaboration, we demonstrate the translation of key core competencies for IPC. We share key learnings and mitigation strategies for the successful outcomes of the research team., Conclusion: To embark on a successful international research collaboration requires integrating IPC core competencies across the entire research continuum. In addition to the core competencies of collaboration, enablers to success also include digital collaborative forums, existing professional relationships and research projects that offer global meaning and value., (Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Aim: To analyse the use of radiotherapy (RT) and factors affecting overall survival (OS) after RT in breast cancer patients with brain metastases., Methods: Breast cancer patients treated from 2008 to 2018 with whole brain RT (WBRT) or stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) at a large regional cancer referral center were identified from the hospital's RT register. Clinical variables were extracted from medical records. OS was calculated from date of first RT until death or last follow up. Potential factors affecting OS were analyzed., Results: 255 females with WBRT (n = 206) or SRS (n = 49) as first RT were included. An increased use of initial SRS was observed in the second half of the study period. The most common WBRT fractionation regimen was 3 Gy × 10. SRS was most often single fractions; 18 or 25 Gy between 2009 and 2016, while fractionated SRS was mostly used in 2017 and 2018. Median OS in the WBRT group was 6 months (CI 1-73) relative to 23 (CI 0-78) in the SRS group. Age, performance status, initial RT technique, extracranial disease, brain metastasis surgery, number of brain metastases and DS-GPA score had significant impact on OS. Only ECOG 0 and brain metastasis surgery were associated with superior OS in multivariate analysis., Conclusion: WBRT was the most frequent primary RT. An increased use of initial SRS was observed in the second half of the study period. Only ECOG 0 and brain metastasis surgery were associated with superior OS in multivariate analysis., (Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to evaluate student exchange experiences to gain insight into what students perceived as benefits, challenges, and overall areas for improvement that might inform and enhance future exchange projects., Methods: A general program evaluation survey, adapted to address the project objectives, was conducted. Eight students from Norway, Canada, and South Africa participating in an international exchange project completed an online survey. The responses were coded and organized in themes such as pre-exchange preparation, home/host country support, challenges, and new learning., Results & Conclusions: Despite the challenges the students experienced, students indicated advantages such as new learning, personal development, and expanded professional knowledge. Students gained an international perspective and deeper understanding of their profession and insight into the similarities and differences in clinical practice emphasizing the importance of creating global citizens through internationalization in radiography education. These student experiences confirmed their agency in disposition, motivation, self-efficacy, and position., (Copyright © 2020. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Aim: The aim of this study is to compare the absorption ability of two lead-free aprons with a lead apron., Method: The absorption ability of three aprons was measured and compared; Opaque Fusion 0.35 mm (OpaqFu) bilayer apron containing bismuth and antimony, No Lead 0.35 mm (NoLead) one-layer apron containing antimony, and a lead apron. The measurements were repeated with and without each of the aprons present in both primary and scattered beams. The selected tube voltages were between 60 and 113 kVp with constant mAs, a fixed field size, and fixed source-to-object distance., Results: No significant difference in absorption ability of the two lead-free aprons compared with that of the lead apron was observed when the dose was measured in the primary beam. When measurements were performed in the scatter radiation field, the absorption ability of the OpaqFu apron was 1.3 times higher than that of NoLead apron and nearly equal to the absorption ability of the lead apron. An increase in the difference between the OpaqFu and NoLead aprons was observed for the tube energies higher than 100 kVp in favour of OpaqFu apron., Conclusion: It is safe to use the lead-free aprons that were tested in this study in a clinical environment for the tube energy range of 60 kVp-113 kVp., (Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Inc.)