[Impact of Intervention in VAIVT by Radiological Technologists in Task Shifting/Sharing]

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of task shifting/sharing, in which radiological technologists assist physicians during vascular access interventional therapy (VAIVT) procedures, on radiation exposure and procedure time for both physicians and radiological technologists.

We retrospectively compared cases in which radiological technologists assisted with VAIVT procedures and those performed by physicians alone. Radiation exposure was evaluated using the estimated lens radiation dose, air kerma, and dose-area product values. Subsequently, the procedural difficulty and procedure time were assessed.

Estimated lens radiation doses were highest in physicians, followed by assisting radiological technologists, and then radiological technologists in their conventional positions. Air kerma at the patient entrance reference point and air kerma area product were significantly lower in the group where radiological technologists aided, whereas no significant differences were observed.

The results suggest that introducing a rotational system in which physicians and radiological technologists alternate performing assisted VAIVT procedures may reduce physicians' working hours and radiation exposure.