Perceptions of nuclear medicine radiographers on PET/CT in Gauteng Province, South Africa

M.Tech. (Radiography)Abstract: In South Africa the first positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) imaging modality was installed in Gauteng in 2005 with subsequent installations. The introduction of PET/CT requires appropriate staff training, redesign of patient workflow, new skills, problem-solving abilities and even radiation protection. With the introduction of PET/CT in the UK, nuclear medicine radiographers (NMRs) encountered challenges in defining their roles, unfamiliarity with the new technology and the new working procedures, which led to confusion and concerns about the new technology. Since the introduction of the first PET/CT in South Africa, the perceptions of NMRs of this dual imaging technique have not been determined. Therefore, the aim of this research study was to explore and describe the perceptions of NMRs regarding PET/CT as an imaging modality in nuclear medicine. The two objectives formulated to achieve the aim were to establish how nuclear medicine radiographers in Gauteng perceive PET/CT as an imaging modality in nuclear medicine as well as to make recommendations on how to manage the needs and desires of nuclear medicine radiographers based on the study findings. A qualitative, descriptive phenomenological research design was applied with the use of semi-structured interviews until data saturation was reached. Purposive sampling was employed to select 18 practising NMRs in Gauteng to participate in this research study. The participating NMRs consisted of three cohorts, those with PET/CT experience, those with no PET/CT experience and those with previous PET/CT experience but not exposed to PET/CT at the time of data collection. Thematic analysis was applied using ATLAS.ti 8 to facilitate the management of codes, categories and themes when analysing the research data. The three themes that emerged from the categories are NMRs’ perspectives of PET/CT in nuclear medicine, patient management in PET/CT facilities and..