#medradjclub August edition

August 21st: Assistants and limited practice JULY 24, 2018 / AMANDABOLDERSTON / LEAVE A COMMENT / EDIT In the UK Assistant Radiographer Practitioners (ARPs) are part of the skill mix strategy and have been working in radiography for 20 years. What is the impact of ARP or limited practice roles, and what can we learn from experiences in the UK and beyond? Palmer D, Snaith B, Harris M A. Assistant radiographer practitioners: Creating capacity or challenging professional boundaries? Radiography. 2018. 24 (3), 247–251 Chat themes: 1. In the UK, ARPs are part of the skills mix strategy and embedded in the team. Is this the case for other countries? What’s the experience in other disciplines (e.g. radiotherapy?) 2. Does the role of the ARP in the UK contribute to role expansion for registered radiographers as was originally expected? 3. Scope creep in response to service pressures is also an issue highlighted in the paper, has anyone experienced this and what impact can this have (e.g. with supervision?) 4. Most ARPs work in plain film and breast imaging – is this optimal use of the role and how might this change in radiography and beyond? More readings: American Registry of Radiologic Technologists “Limited Scope” criteria 2017 Smith T. We can and do make a difference by improving medical radiation services in rural and remote locations. J Med Radiat Sci; 64 (2017) 241 –243 Please also read this month’s blog Assistants and limited practice: A personal perspective by Martine Harris (one of the authors of the discussion paper).