A maturity matrix and actionable tool for implementing best practices within the radiography support workforce: a...

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Healthcare Workforce Development
• Radiography Support Services

Background:

• Radiology services face increasing demand, outpacing radiographer workforce growth.
• There's a critical need to enhance the capability and capacity of the imaging support workforce.
• Current service delivery relies on support workers for patient-facing and ancillary tasks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate factors influencing the utilization of the radiography support workforce in England.
• To develop an actionable tool for improving imaging support workforce deployment and practice.
• To present findings in a maturity matrix for practice improvement.

Main Methods:

• A multi-centre, mixed-methods study using an explanatory sequential, multi-stage advanced framework design.
• Six consecutive workstreams synthesized findings to identify best practices in workforce deployment.
• Critical determinants and quality indicators were modeled into a maturity matrix.

Main Results:

• The Imaging Support Workforce Maturity Matrix was developed to address workforce improvements.
• Fifteen critical determinants across planning, deployment, and development are included.
• The matrix uses four maturity levels (Emerging, Developing, Maturing, Thriving) for self-assessment and action-planning.

Conclusions:

• The Imaging Support Workforce Maturity Matrix provides an actionable tool for service managers.
• Initial validation with service managers has been completed.
• Further research is planned for broader implementation across allied health professions.