Education and Training Required for the Digital Radiography Environment: A Non-interventional Quantitative Survey Study of Radiologic Technologists

The purpose of this research was to evaluate the knowledge components of CR, and confidence and attitudes in using the system in clinical practice using a non-interventional quantitative cross-sectional survey design. Using snowball sampling (non-probability sampling), an online survey questionnaire was administered to 103 diagnostic technologists who routinely perform CR imaging in hospitals in British Columbia (BC). The results of the survey study showed that the response rate was 69%, and that most of the respondents were mostly females above 40 years old, and who indicated that their CR education/training was provided by the vendor for less than 2 hours. The degree of knowledge of CR physics and technology varied from no information to little information on selected topics listed on the questionnaire. The Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) statistics showed that there was no significant difference between the variables of age, education level, years of working in CR, hours and method of CR education received; on confidence and attitudes in using the system in practice. With respect to the use of the EI in practice, the overall ANOVA test was significance but the analysis failed to detect a difference between the levels of education/training received. The conclusions drawn from this research demonstrate that a knowledge gap in CR education/training is clearly apparent, and that variables such as age, method and hours of CR education received, as well as experience in working CR did not have a statistical impact on confidence and attitudes in using the system in clinical practice.