The College of Radiographers’ Industry Partnership Scheme will this year support a special round of funding in investigation of current perceptions and understanding of autism.
Each October, the College of Radiographers Industry Partnership Scheme (CoRIPS) issues a round of funding, but for 2024 a new grant has been introduced.
This year, the College has announced an additional ‘special call’ for further research grants, focusing on perceptions of autism.
Patients with neurodiversity
The research call is seeking to understand autism for both service users and members of the radiographic workforce. It comes following a motion carried at the SoR's Annual Delegates Conference this year.
In the motion, entitled “Training and Education in relation to Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)”, there have been numerous studies on the impact of working with a patient who has neurodiversity.
However, it added, the reality is that 1.1 per cent of the population have a diagnosis of autism, with suggested levels potentially reaching as high as 10 per cent.
As a result, there is a lack of research in relation to autism within radiography, and almost nothing in relation to working with a person who has this form of neurodiversity.
The motion said: “Some studies show the benefits of having neurodivergence within the workplace but all state the challenges this can raise – how there is stigma, a lack of understanding and generally poor communication with staff and patients who have this condition.”
Tailored education and training
Delegates at the conference called upon the UK Council to investigate and audit the current perceptions and understanding of autism within membership, to allow for tailored education and training to be implemented.
This would help raise awareness and knowledge for all members, to ensure inclusivity and parity of care for both staff and patients, the motion explained.
To receive funding for research, applicants must be a radiographer and a member of the Society of Radiographers. If funds requested are less than £5000, applicants must have been in continuous membership with the Society of Radiographers for a minimum of one year (excluding time spent in student membership).
If funds requested are greater than £5000, applicants must have been in continuous membership with the Society of Radiographers for a minimum of two years (excluding time spent in student membership).
For this special round, members who have already received CoRIPS funding are also eligible to apply.
To find out more, click here.
(Image: Annual Delegates Conference 2024, via Eva Slusarek)