Role extension : the needs, perceptions and experiences of South African radiographers in primary health care

Abstract

Escalating current health needs coupled with the dire shortage of radiologists saw many countries abroad, led by the United Kingdom, adopting radiography role extension. Radiography role extension is a practice whereby radiographers adopt duties that were previously only within the scope of practice of radiologist. This study aimed to evaluate the need, the perceptions and the lived experiences of radiographers working in primary health care with reference to radiography role extension. An interpretive qualitative research approach was utilised in trying to understand lived experiences of radiographers working in primary health care (PHC) institutions in Cape Town. A questionnaire was utilised as the data collection tool. An analysis of the qualitative data revealed six themes; (i) medico legal aspects, (ii) education, (iii) newly qualified and inexpe-rienced medical officers, (v) improving service delivery, (vi) the radiographers’ experience, and (vii) benefits of reporting radiog-raphers. It was concluded that there is evidence to support the need for radiographers to extend their roles into report writing within the PHC level. The benefits of this would be improved service delivery and optimum utilisation of the radiographers’ skills and knowledge.