From: Ken Spong <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Thank you, Teresa. Well, seems we are out in the wilderness, trying to convert the goats and camels.
I have delayed responding in the (now vain) hope that someone else here in the land of OZ might have a similar vision. Nope. Maybe it really is the land of nod.... Since the original posting and your response - the AIRNEWS list has reflected the usual running over old paths, with no future vision. Makes me wonder if there is a creative spark left in Radiography. All the spatter and patter is about fixing, rather than making fresh paths. It is interesting that if a garment is fixed often enough it will eventually fall apart. Much of what you and I have stated is future based, but -- what if we could create a beginning, with a grand vision to drive our expectations -- maybe, just maybe, more of those students completing their Radiography degree just might stay to enrich our profession with their passion and zeal - this is not to descry the newly qualified who have chosen Radiography as the vehicle for their future, just we need more people with courage and desire. And, what if some of the older brigade stopped trying to fall on their sword and instead took up the challenge of career-based advanced qualifications. So, how about it, leviathans out there. Feel the wind in the sails? Maybe a smell of staleness in what is the "current impasse". I challenge each and everyone of you, my fellow Radiographers who have taken the time to get this far in this writing, to consider what Radiography is, and where it could go to given training and opportunity. Radiographer Initiated Opinions are a (fresh) beginning. Lets do it. Ken Spong At 06:26 23/12/2002 +0800, you wrote: >From: Teresa <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > >Well said Ken, how about a name change to Radiographic Consultant or >Practitioner, lets define what we do and what we are capable of doing. > >Why can we not triage, order the xrays and do a verbal interpretation. We >won't get provider numbers in my career time, but we might get something else. > >Lets start lobbying, lets get up and be heard, it has to be the whole >profession not just a few. > >Is this what we really want, or is it a few who have foresight into role >expansion. > >Its time for us to stand up and be counted, be a voice to be heard. > >Merry christmas everyone. > >Teresa Ong. > >At 09:00 PM 12/23/02 +1100, you wrote: >> From: Ken Spong <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >> >>Been watching the "cost of state registration" conversation. >> >>A couple of comments. >>1. I believe that Registration is a State matter and cannot be >>administered Federally. >>2. The cost impost of QLD registration will mean that out of state >>locums, >>etc will likely dry up. >> >>On a brighter note, I enjoyed Ron Pepper's comments: >> "My bottom line is that the single most important issue that we should >>be >>promoting is the legally recognised right & responsibility to report >>plain >>films at the level of a non-specialist doctor. >>When we have that, we will have the right to self determination, >>professional >>autonomy, registration and a cheap rebate provider number. >>As an aside, I note that in NSW, the NSWH refers only to Medical >>Radiation >>Scientists. However in hospitals, staff, public & MRS' themselves only >>use the >>term "radiographer" or "X-Ray guy". You are also specifically prohibited >>from >>offering an opinion, yet nurses & junior doctors routinely do so. But if >>you >>work with specialists & are respected, they invariably ask your opinion. >>This >>is the culture that we ourselves are unwilling to change." >> >>Lets cut to the chase. Who do we want to be? Leaders or followers? >>Without initiative, we are doomed to become gardener class-Xray guys and >> >>gals. We see the nurses take the initiative in NIXR's. Great move, and >>it >>can produce some improvement in patient management. What we need to get >> >>involved with is the other side of the coin. Let's face it, most of the >> >>nurses would welcome the input of the Medical Imaging Scientist / >>Technologist in being assured that there is or is not a fracture, that >>there is a problem in a chest Xray, that the additional information >>gained >>in the process of the Radiographic examination is conveyed back to where >>it >>can make a difference in the management of the patient. >> >>It is all about patient management outcomes, and we can either grasp the >> >>opportunity or walk away to self pity and despair. >> >>Now, not all will feel comfortable about offering an opinion - maybe not >> >>comfortable with doing so as being afraid of making a mistake, etc. >>That >>is what experience and training is about. Take the example of the NIXR >>program. >>So we could achieve a process profile similar to the NIXR >>program. Selected, voluntary, service oriented. Recognised, and >>respected >>for that skill and opinion. >>I'm all for it. Further training might incorporate more in-depth >>appreciation of images and a formal reporting process such as being >>developed at RBH, but for a kickoff, lets light the wick, and instead of >> >>standing back, grab hold and hang on. Enjoy the ride! >> >>Ken >> >> >> >>It's Life, but not as you may know it! - Try it! >>http://www.stargate.co.nz/healthy.htm +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+= This message is being broadcast by AIRNEWS, the Australian Institute of Radiography list Server Send messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For assistance send mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Commands should be sent to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Opinions expressed on this list are not necessarily those of the moderator, his assistants or those of the A.I.R.
