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Utilisation of the support workforce in diagnostic imaging: a mixed-methods investigation
Julie Nightingale1, Beverly Snaith2,3, Sarah Etty1
1School of Health and Social Care, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, UK.
Imaging support workers are vital but underutilized due to inconsistent deployment. Strategic planning and harmonized utilization are needed to address workforce shortages and improve patient care.
Area of Science:
- Healthcare workforce development
- Diagnostic imaging services
- Health services research
Background:
- England's diagnostic imaging services face critical radiographer and radiologist shortages, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
- National reports emphasize the need to enhance the imaging support workforce's capacity and capability.
- Current utilization of this vital support workforce remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the development, deployment, and contribution of the support workforce in diagnostic imaging across England.
- To identify effective models for workforce transformation and redesign.
- To explore factors influencing the implementation of support workforce deployment models.
Main Methods:
- A mixed-methods explanatory design over 27 months, including a scoping review, workforce census, and engagement with imaging networks.
- Deep dive reviews of selected trusts and qualitative case studies.
- Data sourced from NHS Electronic Staff Records, interviews, focus groups, and documentary analysis.
Main Results:
- The support workforce (Bands 2-4) comprises 23.6% of the non-medical imaging workforce.
- Varied deployment models exist, with significant inconsistencies in roles, grades, and scope of practice across NHS Trusts.
- Assistant Practitioners (Band 4) are underutilized in most imaging services, except for breast imaging.
Conclusions:
- Inconsistent deployment and utilization of the imaging support workforce hinder recruitment, retention, and innovation.
- The current operational management, rather than strategic planning, limits the support workforce's impact on the broader imaging crisis.
- A determinant framework (Maturity Matrix) is proposed to guide workforce harmonization and utilization.
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