Managers' expectations of radiographers: a survey

Area of Science:

• Radiological Sciences
• Healthcare Management
• Professional Development

Background:

• Radiographers play a crucial role in diagnostic imaging departments.
• Evolving healthcare demands necessitate a broad skill set for radiographers.
• Understanding manager expectations is key to effective workforce development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To survey radiology department managers in the Southeastern United States regarding their expectations of radiographers.
• To identify the core competencies and skills managers anticipate in radiographers.
• To assess the perceived fulfillment of these expectations by current radiographers.

Main Methods:

• A survey was distributed to radiology department managers across eight Southeastern states.
• The survey collected data on managers' expectations concerning radiographer skills and responsibilities.
• Data analysis focused on identifying key expected competencies and the extent to which they are met.

Main Results:

• Managers expect radiographers to be multicompetent, possess strong communication skills, and engage in quality improvement initiatives.
• Expectations also include cost containment, legal/ethical awareness, and supervisory potential.
• A significant finding was the managers' belief that these expectations are often not met by radiographers.

Conclusions:

• There is a discernible gap between radiology managers' expectations and the perceived performance of radiographers.
• Healthcare institutions need to address this competency gap through targeted training and development programs.
• Future strategies should focus on aligning radiographer skills with the evolving demands of radiology departments.