Radiographer reporting of trauma images: United Kingdom experience and the implications for evolving international practice

Some United Kingdom (UK) radiographers share the task of radiological reporting with radiologists. This paper aims to describe the current status of radiographer reporting of trauma images in the countries of the UK and reflect on its relevance to the development of similar advanced practice roles internationally. In February 2007, a cross-sectional survey with respect to radiographer reporting was conducted of 456 UK hospitals with an Emergency Department (ED) or Minor Injuries Unit (MIU). The main outcome measures were the number of reporting radiographers; number of half-day radiographer reporting sessions per week; availability of, and radiographer involvement in 'hot' reporting. A total of 306 (67.1%) responses were received. Reporting radiographers were employed at 56.9% (174/306) of the respondent hospitals. Of hospitals with an ED, 70% (142/203) employed reporting radiographers compared to 31.1% (32/103) of those with a MIU. At 146 of the 174 hospitals that employed reporting radiographers (83.9%) there were between one and six radiographers involved. At 155 hospitals (155/174; 89.1%) radiographers performed between 0 and 10 reporting sessions each week. Most reported for one or two sessions. 'Hot' reporting operated at only 11.1% (34/306) of the respondent hospitals, with radiographers leading this service at 64.7% (22/34) of those sites. The rate of radiographer reporting uptake in UK hospitals appears to have slowed. Also, few radiographers are engaged in 'hot' reporting of trauma images. The prevalent UK model of 'cold' radiographer reporting may not be transferable to other countries where there is a need is for immediate and accurate reporting of trauma images