The Profession of Radiography

The radiography technologist belongs to the professions closely allied to the medical field.
Dedicated to the promotion of health, the prevention and cure of disease, the technologist
like any other member of the medical team has challenging and satisfying task of serving
their fellow man in alleviating suffering, developing new technology and participating as a
teacher. Radiography technology as a profession has its birth in the early 1900s following
the discovery of the invisible, unknown rays.

In 1895 Wilhelm Roentgen discovered:

……that a certain combination of a vacuum tube and the application of electricity produced
rays which were invisible but which had the power to penetrate solid objects and record the
outlines of these objects on a chemically treated screen in the darkness. Immediately, it was
apparent that this knowledge could be applied to examination of the soft tissues and bone
structure of the human body and this discovery proved to be of immeasurable value to
medical science, particularly when it was found that x-rays affected photographic film in the
same way as light.

…….in 1896, one year after he made his discovery, a distinguished meeting of scientist and
physicians in Germany who were called together to hear Dr Roentgen’s report, voted the x-
rays be named Roentgen’s rays in his honour.

THE RADIOGRAPHY TECHNOLOGIST

The radiography technologist is a technocrat who works closely with the Radiologist. The
radiologist is a physician who specializes in the use of x rays and other radiation sources in
the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. The largest percentage of technologists work in the
field of diagnostic x-ray, using x-ray equipment to take pictures of internal parts of the body
that the physicians wishes to examine.

To prepare for radiographs, technologists position patients between the x-ray tube and the
film and cover body parts that are not to be exposed to the rays with limiting devices and in
many instances, protective lead aprons or lead cloth. If necessary, they set up the proper
voltage, current, focal film distance and exposure time by regulating the controls to obtain a
film of high technical quality. This film is then processed and becomes available for
interpretation by the physician.

Other technologists in radiology work in the field of radiation therapy and nuclear medicine
technology and use different kinds of special equipment for diagnosis and treatment of
diseases. In any event, the technologist’s work involves many skills and responsibilities and
demands a background in science, medicine and nursing care.

……A good foundation in anatomy is necessary in order to obtain exact screening of the
bone or body tissue which the physician wishes to examine or treat. Physics and chemistry
together provide the technologist with knowledge of the properties and action of
radioactive substances and of the principles of radiography. Knowledge of chemistry is
applied to the use of materials which may be necessary to render any part of the anatomy
opaque or sufficiently shaded or dense so that it may be seen when the x rays penetrate it.

A knowledge of chemical procedure is important also in the use of x ray film and film
processing which the technologist must prepare for the radiologist. And physics is important
not only in relation to radioactivity but to electricity because the technologist is required to
know the principles of electricity and the patterns of electrical circuits of the apparatus
used.

The technologist also needs to apply principles of mathematics and measuring devices to
calculate correct positioning and screening with many kinds of equipment except those
which are almost completely automatic. Judgement is necessary too in the application of
safety rules, although the danger in using x ray equipment has been reduced to a minimum
with the use of modern improvements in protective methods.

From the nursing arts, the technologist will learn such things as sterile techniques so that
s/he can apply it under certain conditions of work where high standards of cleanliness or
antiseptic (germ-free) practice are required, for the protection of both patients and medial
workers. Proper patient relationships involving an understanding of and sympathy for,
persons undergoing examination and treatment are also as much a part of the
technologist’s requirements as of the nurse’s.

Finally a certain amount of clerical work is necessary for the technologist’s job. This deals
mostly with keeping careful and accurate records of all radiology procedures carried out for
patients

THE PROFESSION OF RADIOGRAPHY

Radiography also known as medical imaging science involves the use of electromagnetic
radiation or ultrasound to image organs, structures or function. It is a science and an art that
involves the application of controlled amounts of radiation to a patient’s body for diagnostic
or therapeutic purposes.

The radiography qualification equips the radiographer to effectively operate highly technical
equipment whilst applying acceptable interpersonal and caring skills to patients and
members of the healthcare team.

The major categories of radiography are

1. General radiography
2. Ultrasound
3. Nuclear medicine (radionuclide imaging)
4. Computerized tomography
 5. Magnetic resonance imaging
6. Radiation oncology

THE PROFESSIONAL RADIOGRAPHER

Radiographers are healthcare professionals that employ radiation toward diagnosis or/ and
treatment of diseases. They are responsible for imaging of body systems by applying
complex radiological machinery and skills as in computerized tomography, radionuclide
imaging, angiography, fluoroscopy, ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging.

They are also involved in interventional procedures, radiation therapy, care of patients,
management of radiography practice, research and continued professional development.

Radiographers work in close relationship with patients of a wide range of attributes, beliefs
and age groups thereby necessitating the appreciation of human psychological and
sociological concepts.

Radiography is a dynamic profession with continuous development and higher qualifications

HEALTH

Meaning: In order for the radiographer to become skilled in the field of helping diagnose
and treat illness, it is important to understand wellness - the total positive side of health.

Health has been defined in a number of ways but the world health organization defines
health as; “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the
absence of disease or infirmity.” The enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health
is one of the fundamental rights of every human being without distinction of race, religion,
and political belief, economic or social condition. The health of all people is fundamental to
the attainment of peace and security and is dependent upon the fullest cooperation of
individuals and states.

Understanding the concept of health, the radiographers in doing the daily work in dealing
with the ill person will see the importance of helping the patient to be a well person, then x-
ray cease to be merely routine procedures but the radiographer finds that the thinking
involves not only the sick patient of the present but also the healthy person of the future.
This fact gives the radiographer a real sense of belonging and fitting into the total health
picture and prevents the work becoming repetitious, dull and demanding.

THE HOSPITAL

Brief history: The Greeks and Egyptians founded the earliest hospitals in which the sick were
gathered in one place to merely facilitate their care. Then the spread of Christianity
developed a new spirit of compassion toward the sick and gradually more hospitals were
established throughout Europe and Roman Empire.

Hospitals were associated with cloisters and monasteries that not only provided for the sick
but also rest for the pilgrims and corresponding hospitals become established to date, for
example in Zambia St. Francis mission hospital in Katete, Monze mission hospital in Monza,
Chilonga mission hospital in Mpika etc.

FUNCTIONS OF A HOSPITAL

The modern hospital has many responsibilities at least summarised in these four;

1. The care of the sick

All hospitals perform the functions of caring for the sick and promoting health concurrently
as they give service to the public. The extent to which hospitals participate in education and
research, however, depends upon the type of hospital whether it is associated with a
medical or nursing school and whether it is approved by a medical association to give
experience to medical personnel.

The size, staff, facilities and finances help to determine the extent of the hospital’s
participation in research and education.

TYPES OF HOSPITALS

Hospitals can be classified;

1. According to their support or control

They can also be either public or private. There are also a wide variety of special hospitals
devoted to certain types of hospital care, for example these would include psychiatric,
maternity, children’s, cancer hospitals and hospice.

A hospice is a type of healthcare service that focuses on providing compassionate care for
people who are in the final stages of a terminal illness. Unlike hospitals, which aim to cure or
aggressively treat disease, hospices prioritize comfort, dignity, and quality of life for
patients and their families.

Key Features of Hospices

 Palliative care focus: Relief from pain, symptoms, and emotional distress rather than
curative treatment.
 Holistic approach: Addresses physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs.
  Family support: Offers counselling, respite care, and bereavement services for loved
ones.
 Interdisciplinary team: Care is provided by doctors, nurses, social workers,
chaplains, and volunteers.
 Settings: Hospice care can be delivered at home, in a dedicated hospice facility, or
within hospitals and nursing homes.

Goals of Hospice Care

 Enhance comfort and dignity during the end-of-life stage.

Difference between Hospice and Palliative Care

 Palliative care can be offered at any stage of a serious illness, alongside curative
treatment.
 Hospice care is specifically for patients who are expected to live six months or less
and have chosen to stop curative treatments.

Hospices are often described as places of peace and compassion, where the focus shifts
from “fighting the illness” to “living meaningfully with the time remaining.”

ORGANIZATION OF THE HOSPITAL

Good hospital organization is very necessary to provide the patient with the best, most
efficient and yet economical care. Regardless of ownership or control of the hospital, there
is usually a governing body, either elected or appointed that is responsible for the policies,
services and finances of the institution.

It may be a board of directors or trustees and directly responsible to the governing board is
the hospital director, who has many departmental assistants to assure the highest degree of
patient care.

In order to give the patient the kind of care he wants and deserves, not only are good
hospital administration and organization attributes needed but also well qualified members
of staff, who work together as a team.

1. The administrative team; this comprises the governing board, the hospital
administration and his various staff. The maintenance, engineering and
housekeeping staff and others. The duties of this group are concerned with finance,
purchasing, general business administration, maintenance and operation of the
hospital.
2. The medical team is composed of the medical doctors, nursing and technical staff.
Their duties are concerned with the actual diagnosis and treatment of disease.
In conclusion, for the medical team to be effective there must be a mutual regard for the
understanding of the responsibilities of the other members.