New e-learning is available for radiographers responding to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The free e-Learning for Healthcare (e-LfH) online resources provide training and advice for radiographers carrying out mobile chest x-rays of patients suspected to be infected by coronavirus.
Topics covered include minimising risk using PPE and infection control, how to safely use mobile equipment, optimising image quality, radiation protection, and how to assess and evaluate radiographs.
Effective communication is also discussed, along with support available for emotional wellbeing. The resources are for radiographers who are switching specialisms during the pandemic, or those who are newly qualified and going on to the frontline.
Resources for Radiographers contains four new sessions:
- Minimising Risk During Mobile Radiography
- Mobile Chest Radiography
- Radiographic Procedure (available soon)
- Image Evaluation for the Diagnostic Quality of Chest Radiographs including Covid-19 cases
The Covid-19 e-learning course also includes:
- Image Interpretation sessions on:
- Radiographs of the Adult Chest
- Nasogastric Tube Placement
- Recent Journal articles:
- Covid-19 Pandemic: Summary of Current and Emerging Issues for Radiographers
- Frequency and Distribution of Chest Radiographic Findings in Covid-19 Positive Patients
- Covid-19 A Case Series to Support Radiographer Preliminary Clinical Evaluation
The content is part of the international web-based information and support system focusing on mobile chest x-ray of patients who have Covid-19, developed in partnership with the International Society of Radiographers and Radiological Technologists (ISRRT), the European Federation of Radiographer Societies (EFRS), and Health Education England e-Learning for Healthcare (HEE e-LfH).
It was co-ordinated and edited by Dorothy Keane, image interpretation clinical lead; Peter Hogg, emeritus professor of radiography, Salford University; and Ken Holmes, senior lecturer at the University of Cumbria.
Contributors include radiographers on the frontline, PhD students and academic experts from the UK, Ireland, Italy, Jordan, Malta, Singapore, Switzerland and the USA. They have volunteered over a thousand hours of time and expertise between them.
Charlotte Beardmore, the SoR's director of professional policy, said, "This is a fantastic resource to support radiographers both in the UK and worldwide.
"We have been pleased to contribute to this international project and to be able to develop and include the learning within the e-Learning for Healthcare Covid-19 resource centre. The materials will be updated regularly to reflect new learning.
"Please do look and share these resources with radiography colleagues. I would like to thank the e-LfH team for their commitment and support in enabling this resource to be available so quickly, in particular Dorothy Keane, the CoR professional officer and e-LfH lead, and Lyndsey Callion, instructional designer.
Resources for Radiographers working with patients during the Covid-19 pandemic.