The Increased Source to Image-receptor Distance Technique: What Is Preventing Implementation in Clinical Practice?

Area of Science:

• Radiological Sciences
• Medical Imaging Technology
• Radiographic Optimization

Background:

• Scientific literature supports increasing source-to-image-receptor distance (SID) for optimizing radiographic projections.
• Despite evidence, widespread clinical adoption of increased SID technique is limited in radiology departments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the feasibility of implementing increased SID in clinical practice.
• To identify barriers and enablers for the adoption of this optimization technique.

Main Methods:

• A qualitative study involving interviews and surveys with allied health professionals including radiographers, medical physicists, and educators.
• Data triangulation through multiple sources: telephone/departmental surveys, questionnaires, focus groups, and individual interviews.
• Keyword and thematic analysis of collected data.

Main Results:

• Perceived obstacles to implementation include tradition, resistance to change, and limitations of radiographic equipment.
• Radiographers using modern equipment reported fewer disadvantages with increased SID compared to those with older equipment.
• 100% of radiographers showed positive reception to increased SID implementation, particularly with additional information.

Conclusions:

• Effective implementation requires a multidisciplinary approach and dissemination of information to hospital management and radiographers.
• No insurmountable barriers exist for implementing increased SID technique in clinical settings.
• Encouraging exploration of optimization strategies can advance evidence-based practice in radiography.