Related Experiment Videos
Radiographers' readiness for artificial intelligence (AI) leadership: confidence, challenges and role expectations in
Gemma Walsh1, Janice St John-Matthews2, Yiannis Kyratsis3
1CRRAG Research Group, Division of Radiography, Department of Allied Health, School of Health and Medical Sciences, City St George's University, London, UK gemma.walsh.2@citystgeorges.ac.uk.
Background:
With the rapid implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) in radiographer workflows, leadership roles are necessary for its safe and effective integration into practice. Due to their dual professional identity (encompassing patient-centred care skills and technical skills) radiographers emerge as natural AI leaders within the medical imaging and radiotherapy ecosystems.
Aim:
To examine how UK radiographers perceive their readiness, confidence and potential roles in AI leadership, and to identify the barriers and enablers for their engagement within the AI-ecosystem.
Methods:
A UK-wide, cross-sectional, online survey of radiographers and students (n=273) combined demographic questions, AI knowledge and experience questions, Likert-type assessments of preparedness and free text responses. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Mann-Whitney U tests; qualitative data underwent thematic content analysis.
Results:
Most respondents reported limited AI literacy and minimal hands-on experience, citing insufficient education, protected time and managerial support as key barriers to leadership readiness. Confidence varied: women and those with little AI exposure, expressed statistically significant lower confidence to lead in AI-enabled environments. Respondents felt more comfortable taking on leadership responsibilities once AI systems were already in place than leading their implementation. Qualitative findings indicated that in this predominantly frontline sample, radiographers described AI leadership mainly as operational, practice-based work. Motivations for leadership focused on improving workflows, supporting colleagues and ensuring safe practice.
Discussion/Conclusions:
Radiographers recognise the relevance of AI leadership but understand it as practice-proximal, operational-focused responsibilities, due to limited AI exposure, uneven confidence and the absence of defined leadership pathways in national policy. Role ambiguity and limited experiential learning constrain radiographers' ability to envision strategic or organisation-wide AI leadership. Profession-specific education, structured experiential opportunities and organisational support are essential for enabling radiographers to participate equitably and effectively in AI-enabled service transformation.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Issues And Trends In Healthcare Delivery System
Cost Containment
Payment for healthcare services has historically promoted adoption of costly and often unnecessary or inefficient...
01:30Current Trends in Nursing II
01:30Radiological Investigation I: X-ray and CT
01:30Radiological Investigation II: MRI and Ventilation Perfusion Scan
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Ventilation Perfusion Scans are two radiological investigations that offer detailed diagnostic images of the body, particularly lung structures.
MRI
MRI uses magnetic fields and radiofrequency signals to distinguish between normal and abnormal tissues. This technology provides a more detailed diagnostic image than CT scans, enabling it to characterize pulmonary nodules, stage bronchogenic carcinoma, and evaluate inflammatory activity in...