A study to assess the ability of radiographers to apply pattern recognition criteria and interpret radiographs

M.Tech. (Radiography (Diagnostic))In order to meet the needs of the country South African radiographers need to become multi skilled radiographers. Empowering diagnostic radiographers with pattern recognition skills to enable them to comment on images could address the problem in many South African departments where a shortage of radiologists’ results in delayed reports or no reports to referring doctors. The research assessed the ability of qualified diagnostic radiographers in two Gauteng Government Hospital’s to apply pattern recognition and provide a comment on a radiograph after training in musculoskeletal pattern recognition. The study employed a pre- and post-test model with an intervention which comprised training of radiographers in musculoskeletal pattern recognition. The post- test results showed a significant improvement in the accuracy of identifying abnormal images and the comments provided were more complete than before training. Thus the intervention was successful in improving the ability of the radiographers to recognize normal and abnormal images, however, the training would need to be more extensive for an accurate comment to be provided on musculoskeletal images