The College of Radiographers Research Priorities for the Radiographic Profession

Research should be at the heart of healthcare practice, underpinning all aspects of patient care. In order for radiography practice to move forward, radiographers need to lead and participate in research and implement the findings of such research to enable improvements in health care delivery, patient care, technological innovations, education, and development of the workforce.  This need is made explicit in the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) Standards of Proficiency for Radiographers, which state that radiographers must be able to engage in evidence-based practice.

A newly revised research strategy from the Society and College of Radiographers (SCoR) from 2016 to 2021 sets a clear vision to improve patient care and outcomes by continuing to develop, grow and implement a high quality evidence base. In order to meet the aims and vision of the SCoR research strategy, it is important to identify what the key research areas will be for radiography research in the UK over the next five years.  These research priority areas will enable the profession to focus research activity on topics that are deemed to be critical for current and future radiography practice; and enable appropriate channelling of funding resources. This report describes the modified Delphi method used to establish the key research priority areas for the radiography profession.