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The College of Radiographers’ Education and Career Framework (fourth edition): Exploring the guideline implementation gap across England using Normalisation Process Theory
No full textIntroduction: In 2022, the College of Radiographers (CoR) published the fourth edition of their Education
and Career Framework (ECF). This essential document provides a professional blueprint for the radiography career trajectory with the overarching aim of improving patient outcomes. However, publication does not guarantee adoption. To access the full benefits of the ECF, its implementation requires a strategic approach.
Methods: To advance our understanding of the translational gap between policy and practice, this observational mixed-methods study employed Normalisation Process Theory (NPT) as a theoretical frame. Focusing on the diagnostic radiography profession in England, a national consultation survey was
deployed, together with four consultation workshops. The quantitative survey data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Meanwhile, the framework approach was adapted for the qualitative analysis.
Results: The data collection took place between AprileJune 2023. In total, 142 survey responses were returned. Each workshop was comprised of 7e11 participants. The findings were deductively interpreted through the lens of NPT, from which five core themes emerged: making sense of complexity (coherence);bringing people together (cognitive participation); being strategic (collective action); evaluating complexity (reflexive monitoring); implementation in the ‘real world’ (barriers and enablers).
Conclusion: By furthering our understanding of how the workforce has received and utilised the ECF, the
gaps in its implementation were identified. This led to the development of recommendations to address the implementation gaps and enhance the ECF's adoption. The recommendations were study-derived,linked to responsible stakeholders, and grouped into four strategic priorities, aligned with the NPT
domains.
Implications for practice: By enacting these evidence-based recommendations, we can enhance the ECF's translation from printed page to real-world outcomes, for the benefit of the profession, service delivery, and service user
Mapping evidence of spinal manipulation therapy for headaches in South Africa: a scoping review of grey literature
No full textObjective
Spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) has been demonstrated to be an effective management approach for primary headaches; however, current literature often excludes data from South Africa (SA). The use of grey literature provides a viable mechanism to address knowledge gaps. Understanding that Master’s dissertations are a source of grey literature, this review’s primary objective was to address the following question: What is the range of evidence, particularly regarding subjective and objective outcome measures, for the application of SMT in managing headache patients at chiropractic training facilities in SA?
Methods
A scoping review methodology was adopted in compliance with the Joana-Briggs-Institute and the Arksey and O’Malley frameworks and reported following the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis extended for scoping reviews checklist. The search was performed using the Durban University of Technology and University of Johannesburg Research Databases. All studies conducted from 1995 to May 2023 were retrieved. Trials conducted with SMT for the management of headaches were included and subjective (i.e., numerical rating scale, headache disability index, neck disability index) and objective (i.e., range of motions, pressure algometry) outcomes were extracted.
Results
In total 25 dissertations with 921 headache patients were reviewed. Across most of the dissertations, combining SMT with additional modalities versus SMT alone or another modality alone yielded greater improvement in subjective outcome measures, although there were occasional exceptions where no clear pattern emerged. In terms of objective measures, there were both increases and decreases across the different interventions.
Discussion
The findings align with existing literature, indicating that primary headache patients in SA who receive SMT in conjunction with other non-pharmacological treatments respond favourably. This study underscores the potential value of grey literature, particularly in regions where high-quality data is scarce. It highlights the significance of SMT for policymakers, funders, and other stakeholders involved in managing headache patients in SA. Although limitations related to the quality of the dataset are acknowledged, the standardization and robust design of clinical trial protocols at SA institutions reveal numerous strengths. Despite ongoing discussions in the literature regarding the use of SMT for headache management, there is a strong case for existing literature to be used in the SA context
Use of remote consultations by chiropractors in the United Kingdom during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional survey
No full textObjectives: The purpose of this study was to explore the use of remote consultations (RCs) by chiropractors in the
United Kingdom.
Methods: All registered practicing UK chiropractors were invited to participate in an online survey during part of the
first UK national lockdown period of the COVID-19 pandemic (May 2020 to June 2020). This survey collected
information on 1) chiropractor demographics, 2) use of RCs by chiropractors, and 3) chiropractors’ views of RCs.
Descriptive and inferential statistics (chi-squared and Spearman’s Rho) were used to analyze the data.
Results: The response rate was 17.1% (534/3131). A third of respondents (32.5%) had been using RCs (telephone) prior to
the pandemic. Two-thirds (67.2%) used RCs during the first lockdown period and included uptake of video consultations
(6.6%), phone consultations (30%), or a combination of video and phone (30.7%). A majority (58.6%) responded that they
planned to continue RCs after practice restrictions were lifted. Under half (47.8%) gave their opinion that RCs would not be
as effective as face-to-face care, a similar proportion (50.1%) stated they were engaging their patients with active care more
than typical. Only around a half of the respondents (52.5%) were confident in carrying out RCs.
Conclusions: This survey provides preliminary data on RCs delivered by UK chiropractors - a traditionally ‘handson’ profession. Both telephone and video RCs increased during the first UK national lockdown but confidence in
carrying out RCs and impressions of their effectiveness was mixed. (J Chiropr Med 2025;00;1-13
Protocol for the process evaluation of a cluster randomised controlled trial evaluating the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a school-based intervention to prevent anxiety and depression in Malaysia: the MyHeRo study
No full textProcess evaluations are essential for interpreting outcome trial results, offering insights into how and why interventions succeed or fall short across varying settings. This article outlines the protocol for a process evaluation embedded within the MyHeRo cluster randomised controlled trial (RCT) assessing Super Skills for Life (SSL), a school-based psychosocial programme in Malaysian secondary schools. Given the multifaceted nature of SSL and the diversity of school environments, this evaluation explores how SSL is implemented and experienced in educational settings. A mixed methods approach will assess implementation, acceptability, and contextual factors influencing SSL delivery. Data will be collected through semi-structured interviews with school management, SSL facilitators, and participating adolescents, alongside direct observations of SSL sessions by trained independent assessors to examine fidelity, adherence, and participant engagement. Findings will be synthesised to understand how implementation processes may influence trial outcomes. The results will provide valuable insights into the delivery and reception of SSL in Malaysian schools, identifying barriers and facilitators to successful implementation. Findings will aid mental health professionals interpret trial findings and develop strategies for effectively integrating school-based mental health interventions that are scalable, sustainable, and responsive to local cultural and educational contexts
Global status of chiropractic education research and scholarly publications: a scoping review
No full textObjective: This scoping review aimed to map the volume (number of studies) and nature (topics and designs) of
chiropractic education research and scholarly publications on chiropractic learners and programs worldwide.
Introduction: Despite the expansion of the chiropractic profession and its recognition by entities such as the World
Health Organization, a gap exists in comprehending the international landscape of chiropractic education. No prior
studies have systematically mapped the volume and nature of chiropractic education research and scholarly
publications. A scoping review of chiropractic education research and scholarly publications is needed to guide
future policy development, research agendas, and educational initiatives within the chiropractic profession.
Inclusion criteria: Publications in the indexed literature on chiropractic students, graduates, academics, and
programs in any chiropractic education setting were included. Studies focused on chiropractic programs and
education for chiropractic students or chiropractors worldwide were considered for inclusion. All research designs,
literature reviews, descriptive studies, and commentaries were included.
Methods: This scoping review was conducted according to JBI methodology for scoping reviews and was reported
in line with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews
(PRISMA-ScR). The databases PubMed (NLM), Scopus, CINAHL via EBSCOhost, Index to Chiropractic Literature,
Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde, and Educational Resources Information Center were searched from their inception to
November 5 and 6, 2023, with no language limits. Data were extracted for primary topics,study designs, and regions
of the included documents and entered in Covidence by paired independent reviewers. The findings were organized
into figures and tables with a narrative description.
Results: The search identified 7494 documents. After deduplication, 5041 were screened for relevance, of which
667 were selected for full-text review. From these, 598 were selected for data extraction. The chiropractic education
topics included values/ethical competence (n=3),personal/behavioral competence (n=34), knowledge and cognitive competence (n=49), functional and clinical competence (n=93), and program-relevant research (n=419). Most designs were quantitative (n=391), followed by descriptive reports(n=91), qualitative (n=43), mixed methods(n=40),commentaries (n=22), and literature reviews (n=11). Chiropractic education was most studied in the United States(n=359), Australia (n=116), and Canada (n=106).
Conclusions: This scoping review reports the volume and nature of indexed publications relating to chiropractic
learners and programs worldwide. This body of literature contains learner competencies in knowledge, skills, and
attitudes, as well as studies about chiropractic programs. The increasing number of publications and proportion of
study designs over time show that chiropractic scholars and programs are engaged in collecting, analyzing, and
distributing data relevant to education and training. The map of professional competencies in the chiropractic
education literature shows that the profession possesses the fundamental traits needed to contribute to the global
health care workforce
Translation, validity and reliability of the Pain Attitudes and Beliefs Scale for Physiotherapists in French
Full text linkThe environmental sustainability implications of contrast media supply chain disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic: A document analysis of international practice guidelines
No full textIntroduction: Travel restrictions implemented during the acute phases of the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted supply chain for critical radiology consumables including contrast media (CM) leading to shortages. Consequently, some departments had to restructure their clinical workflows in accordance to recommended guidelines to ensure safe continuity of patient care. This study aimed to summarise the temporary crisis-driven recommendations with implicit environmental sustainability essence and to analyse how these measures might inform the development of a more sustainable, long-term clinical guideline for safer and cost-effective CM usage without compromising diagnostic quality.
Methods: Documents were obtained through an electronic database search together with a relevant manual search in Google Scholar and relevant reference lists. The selected documents were subjected to a pre-defined eligibility criteria for inclusion. The READ approach was employed for document analysis and a thematic analysis of the obtained data was conducted.
Results: Of the 17 documents included, 70% (n = 12) emanate from the United States of America. The summary of the findings relate to minimising CM usage through strategic clinical approaches including optimisation of CM volumes, prioritisation of non-contrast imaging and/or alternative imaging depending on patient need without compromising diagnostic quality.
Conclusion: Critical lessons of sustainability essence are implicitly embedded in the policy guidelines issued during the periods of acute CM shortage in the COVID-19 pandemic. These lessons were themed around CM conservation based on: type and priority of medical imaging investigation, kind of imaging modality and use of smaller vials over multi-dose vials packaging.
Implications for practice: The temporary crisis-driven strategies may offer critical lessons for post-pandemic service delivery to enhance patient safety while saving cost and promoting greener practice via strategic clinical and operational monitoring of CM through policy renewal, education and training and collaboration with industry partners
A longitudinal study of psychological distress among youth in Peninsular Malaysia and associated factors
No full textThe prevalence of mental health problems among youth worldwide is alarming and a public health concern. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of psychological distress (PD) among youth at two time points, ages 15 and 20 years, and to identify groups that are particularly vulnerable to PD. Utilizing data from the Malaysian Health and Adolescents Longitudinal Research Team study, we analyzed a cohort of 416 participants who underwent mental health assessments in both 2014 and 2019/2020. The prevalence of PD increased significantly between the ages of 15 (15.9%) and 20 (34.6%) years. Factors such as parental mental health problems, Indian and other ethnicity, lower maternal education attainment, and alcohol consumption were significantly associated with PD in youth. This study underscores the importance of increasing access to mental health care while improving surveillance and prevention programs to protect youth's psychosocial well-being