Readability of internet based patient information for Radiotherapy Patients

Information is key to patient informed choice and the internet is currently a major source of health information for adults in the UK. In order for the users to make use of the information it must be presented in a way that the user can understand. This depends on a number of factors one being that the document is written at the right level to be understood by the reader, readability. The aim of this study was to assess the readability of radiotherapy-related documents on the internet and compare their levels to published norms. An internet search was undertaken using Google, to identify UK-based literature. Once identified documents were downloaded into Word and cleaned of punctuation other than that at the end of the sentence, documents were then analysed by the software package Readability Studio. Documents tended to be written at too high a reading level, but the reading level had improved from a similar study conducted in 2006. The level of readability appears to show a relationship to the use of passive voice, which was very variable in the sample collected and reduction in the use of passive voice could help with the readability of the information

Can teaching ultrasound ergonomics to ultrasound practitioners reduce white knuckles and transducer grip force?

Ergonomic training is necessary to help to reduce work related upper limb disorders (WRULDs) in ultrasound practitioners. This study provided an ergonomic training session for ultrasound practitioners to determine whether a teaching intervention changed the grip force used to hold a transducer. Thirteen practitioners participated and were placed into two groups (intervention group n=7). Participants were asked to scan the same simulated transabdominal early pregnancy case. An ergometer was used, which enabled all participants to hear the effect of holding the transducer tightly. Their matched grip force was measured before and after the intervention using a dynamometer. The intervention group reviewed videos and photographs taken during the scan to see if this affected the matched grip force further. Study findings showed that the short ergonomic training session with the use of an ergometer significantly reduced the matched grip force applied to a transducer (p<0.05) for all participants. The video/photo review did not result in any further significant changes

Compassion satisfaction and fatigue: An investigation into levels being reported by radiotherapy students

Introduction: Studies have investigated the prevalence of compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue in various healthcare professions. However, the majority of evidence is linked to the nursing profession and little is known about paramedical professions such as radiography and even less is known about its prevalence in students. The purpose of this study was to describe the levels of compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue in the student population and how they varied in time. Methods: Students undertaking radiotherapy training at the researcher’s host sites were surveyed using the Professional Quality of Life questionnaire at the end of each final clinical bock in each year of their training. Results & Conclusion: During the three years of training compassion satisfaction falls and burnout increases in the student population, although the change is not significant. Secondary traumatic stress increases significantly during the 3 years of training, F=5.725, p=0.005. Considerable variation also exists in the three scores dependent on the student’s clinical training site. Relationships are also observed between some personality traits, particularly conscientiousness and neuroticism and compassion scores

Genetic diversity of Asian water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis): mitochondrial DNA D-loop and cytochrome b sequence variation

Swamp and river buffalo mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) was sequenced for 303 bp of the cytochrome b gene for 54 animals from 14 populations, and for 158 bp of the D-loop region for 80 animals from 11 populations. Only one cytochrome b haplotype was found in river buffalo. Of the four haplotypes identified in swamp buffalo, one found in all populations is apparently ancestral both to the other swamp haplotypes and to the river haplotype. The phylogenetic relationships among the 33 D-loop haplotypes, with a cluster of 11 found in swamp buffalo only, also support the evolution of domesticated swamp and river buffalo from an ancestral swamp-like animal, most likely represented today by the wild Asian buffalo (Bubalus arnee). The time of divergence of the swamp and river types, estimated from the D-loop data, is 28 000 to 87 000 years ago. We hypothesise that the species originated in mainland south-east Asia, and that it spread north to China and west to the Indian subcontinent, where the rive type evolved and was domesticated. Following domestication in China, the domesticated swamp buffalo spread through two separate routes, through Taiwan and the Philippines to the eastern islands of Borneo and Sulawesi, and south through mainland southeast Asia and then to the western islands of Indonesia

Competency Based Assessment Using Virtual Reality (VERT): Is It a Realistic Possibility ?

The education of the radiography profession is based within higher education establishments, yet a critical part of all radiography programmes is the clinical component where students learn the practical skills of the profession. Assessments therefore not only have to assess a student’s knowledge, but also their clinical competence and core skills in line with both Health and Care Professions Council and the Society and College of Radiographers requirements. This timely thesis examines the possibility of using the Virtual Environment for RadioTherapy (VERT) as an assessment tool to evaluate a student’s competence so giving the advantage of a standard assessment and relieving time pressures in the clinical department.A mixed methods approach was taken which can be described as a Quantitative Qualitative design with the emphasis being on the Quantitative element; a so called QUAN qual design. The quantitative evaluation compared two simulations, one in the virtual reality environment and another in the department using a real treatment machine. Students were asked to perform two electron setups in each simulation; the order being randomly decided and so the study would be described as a randomised cross-over design. Following this, qualitative data was collected in student focus groups to explore student perspectives in more depth.Findings indicated that the performance between the two simulators was significantly different, p < 0∙001; the virtual simulation scoring significantly lower than the hospital based simulation overall and in virtually all parameters being assessed. Thematic analysis of the qualitative data supported this finding and identified 4 main themes; equipment use, a lack of reality, learning opportunities and assessment of competence. One other sub-theme identified for reality was that of the environment and senses

Genetic diversity of Asian water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis): microsatellite variation and a comparison with protein-coding loci

Twenty-one microsatellite loci in 11 populations of Asian water buffalo (eight swamp, three river type) were analysed and, within and among populations, genetic variability was compared with results from 25 polymorphic protein-coding loci. Within-population mean heterozygosity ranged from 0·380–0·615, approximately twice that estimated from the protein-coding loci (0·184– 0·346). Only eight significant departures from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium (involving four loci) were detected; global tests showed significant heterozygote deficiencies for these four loci. Non-amplifying alleles are likely to be segregating in some or all populations for one of these loci, and probably for the other three. There was significant differentiation between the swamp and river types of water buffalo, and among populations within each buffalo type. Estimates of θ (measure of population differentiation) for each locus for the eight swamp populations were all highly significant (mean θ = 0·168 ± 0·018). Mean θ for protein-coding loci was not significantly different (0·182 ± 0·041). The variance among protein-coding loci was significantly higher than among microsatellite loci, suggesting balancing selection affecting allele frequencies at some protein-coding loci. Genetic distances show clear separation of the swamp and river types, which were estimated to have diverged at least 10 000–15 000 years ago. The topology of the swamp populations’ microsatellite tree is consistent with their geographical distribution and their presumed spread through south-east Asia. By contrast, the tree based on the protein-coding loci distances is quite different, being clearly distorted by a bottleneck effect in one population, and possibly in at least two others. As many domestic livestock breeds are possibly descended from small numbers of founders, microsatellite-based trees are to be preferred in assessing breed genetic relationships

Competency based Assessment Using a Virtual Environment for Radiotherapy

AbstractVirtual reality in the form of VERT (Virtual Environment for Radiotherapy) has been used for radiography training since 2007. The system is a back projection system that allows the user to work within a 3D radiotherapy treatment room interacting with the room via a machine hand pendant which allows full control of the unit as in real life. With the demands within the profession and Higher Education both constantly changing we have to constantly re-evaluate our teaching and assessments in order to give the students the best learning experience whilst measuring their competencies against set professional criteria.MethodThe study was a mixed methods design consisting of a randomized crossover study of 52 subjects undertaking the Radiotherapy programme at City University who were asked to undertake a simulated electron setup on both VERT and a phantom in a radiotherapy treatment unit. This was followed by focus group interviews to consider the student's perspective of using VERT in this way. Subjects also completed an immersive tendencies questionnaire and presence questionnaires.ResultsThe results presented are from an interim analysis based on their first setup. Results indicate significantly better performance on the real treatment unit (5.23) compared to VERT (3.62) p<0.001. The focus groups also reported that they felt VERT was not suitable as a measure of competency, but felt it could be used very effectively as a training tool for setups if the final assessment was on the treatment unit

Preliminary findings on the Virtual Environment for Radiotherapy Training (VERT) system: simulator sickness and presence

AbstractBackground:Virtual environments in medical education are becoming increasingly popular as a learning tool. However, there is a large amount of evidence linking these systems to adverse effects that mimic motion sickness. It is also proposed that the efficacy of such systems is affected by how well they engage the user, which is often referred to as presence.Purpose:This primary purpose of this study was to look at the side effects experienced and presence in the Virtual Environment for Radiotherapy Training (VERT) system which has recently been introduced.Method:A pre-VERT questionnaire was given to 84 subjects to ascertain general health of the subjects. The simulator sickness questionnaire was utilised to determine the side effects experienced, whereas the igroup presence questionnaire was used to measure presence. Both questionnaires were given immediately after use of the VERT system.Results:The majority of symptoms were minor; the two most commonly reported symptoms relating to ocular issues. No relationship was seen between simulator sickness and presence although subjects with a higher susceptibility to travel sickness had reported higher levels of disorientation and nausea. There was also a decrease in involvement with the system in subjects with a higher susceptibility to travel sickness.</jats:p

Research ethics training, challenges, and suggested improvements across Europe

Introduction: The Radiography Research Ethics Standards for Europe (RRESFE) project aimed to provide a cross-sectional view of the current state of radiography research ethics across Europe. This included investigating education and training in research ethics, and identifying the key challenges and potential improvements associated with using existing research ethics frameworks. Methods: This cross-sectional online survey targeting radiography researchers in Europe was conducted between April 26 and July 12, 2021. Descriptive and analytical statistics were used to identify research ethics education and training trends. Content analysis of qualitative responses was employed to identify significant challenges and proposed improvements in research ethics frameworks of practice. Results: There were 232 responses received across 33 European countries. Most (n = 13257%) respondents had received some research ethics traininghowever, fewer participants had received training on safeguarding vulnerable patients (n = 7238%), diversity and inclusivity (n = 6233%), or research with healthy volunteers (n = 6032%). Training was associated with a greater perceived importance of the need for research ethics review (p = 0.031) and with the establishment of EQF Level 6 training (p = 0.038). The proportion of formally trained researchers also varied by region (p = <0.001). Time-to-ethics-approval was noted as the biggest challenge for professionals making research ethics applications. Conclusion: Early and universal integration of research-oriented teaching within the radiography education framework which emphasises research ethics is recommended. Additionally, study findings suggest research ethics committee application and approval processes could be further simplified and streamlined. Implications for practice: The survey contributes to a growing body of knowledge surrounding the importance of education and training in research ethics for assuring a high standard of research outputs in Radiography and has identified hurdles to obtaining research ethics approval for further investigation and address