Discussing Professional Behavior of Radiographers for Patient Care

This essay examines the expected professional behavior of student radiographers, emphasizing its crucial role in patient care. It addresses the importance of professionalism, encompassing aspects such as ethical conduct, effective communication, and continuous professional development, both within the university setting and in clinical environments. The paper explores the specific standards of proficiency required, as outlined by the HCPC, and discusses examples of both good and poor practice. It highlights the significance of lifelong learning, proper interactions with patients, and the radiographers' role in training and supervision. The essay underscores the impact of professional behavior on patient outcomes, advocating for adherence to ethical guidelines, regulatory compliance, and a commitment to enhancing patient care through updated skills and knowledge.

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Student’s Name
Course Name
Professor’s Name
University Name
City, State
Date
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Professionalism is an important ingredient in the medical field. Medical professionals are
expected to adhere to the professional code of conduct at all times. Professional standards are a
necessity in the medical field because they guide and promote the clinical practice. In addition,
professional behavior is expected in learning activities, clinical settings, classroom and any other
circumstances where a member of staff or a student acts as a representative of their university.
Radiographers play a very important function in the medical field. Radiographers too have
standards of acceptable performance, which need to be followed by all radiographers. For
example, according to standards of proficiency, radiographers are required to communicate
effectively, understand the knowledge base and key concepts relevant to their profession, assure
the quality of their practice, and work with others appropriately (Health & Care Professions
Council,2018). To meet these and other standards of proficiency radiographers must maintain
certain professional behavior. This paper discusses the expected professional behavior for
student radiographers and its impact on the patient's care.
Professionalism is a description of the behavior required for professionals in a certain
field. Professionalism in radiography entails a number of role and expectations.
Professional deportment and conduct; Radiographers are expected to support the
wellbeing and health of their own self, their colleagues and patients. Therefore, this means that
they must treat all people they interact with respectfully irrespective of their political viewpoint,
sexual orientation, lifestyle, economic status, marital status, beliefs, religion, race, ethnic origin,
disability, age or gender. Finally, they are also expected to carry out their duties meticulously
(Society of Radiographers, 2019).
Publishing/providing service related information. Radiographers involved in the
provision of independent professional services are expected to ensure that any information
presented through adverts is truthful, honest, decent, legal, factual and does not misrepresent
services being offered. Those involved in independent professional services are also expected to
be honest in the financial dealings with their clients. Finally, they are expected to decline any
commission offered by third parties for the purchase of services and goods related to their
professional status or for recommending (Society of Radiographers, 2019).
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Sustainability and public accountability. Radiographers have a responsibility to the
environment, the community, taxpayers and to the society. They must, therefore use the
resources at their disposal in an efficient and responsible manner and demonstrate due regard for
sustainable resources management (Society of Radiographers, 2019).
Respect for the law. Radiographers are also expected to operate within the confines of the
law governing the professional practice within the country in which they operate.They are also
expected to make it known to the Radiographers professional council if they have been found
guilty, charged with a criminal offense or received police caution. They must also make clear
limits of their competence, knowledge when acting as witnesses in litigation processes or formal
inquiry (Society of Radiographers, 2019).
Personal ethics. It is also a requirement that radiographers do not engage in any activity
which they considered unethical, illegal, unsafe or injurious to service users (Society of
Radiographers, 2019).
Integrity in research. Part of the roles of radiographers also includes carrying out research
to further the evidence base of their profession. They must, however, protect the confidentiality
and interests of patients and ensure that clinical research findings are not misused or distorted
(Society of Radiographers, 2019).
Being a professional may mean different things to different people. So some, being
professional means doing a good job, while for others being a professional entails being smartly
dressed at work. On the same note, others associate being professional to the aspect of having
framed certificates and advanced degrees hang on the office walls. However, although
differences exist within different professional fields, multiple professions may share certain
characteristics. These characteristics may be used to describe someone as a professional. A
professional is, therefore, an individual who has mastered the skills, expertise, and knowledge
necessary for a given profession (Elmbrook, 2019). In other words, they must possess technical
competence with regard to their profession. In addition, a professional is an individual who can
do his or her job and do it extremely well. Besides technical expertise, a professional must also
possess qualities such as the ability to meet deadlines, a spirit of service, punctuality, and
honesty. In addition, professionals are individuals who can comfortably work with others
irrespective of their individual differences. The qualities of honesty, punctuality, ability to meet
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deadlines and the spirit of service make it easy to work with others. These are commonly
referred to like the character traits classified as vices and virtues. In conclusion, a professional is
an individual who has a number of virtues as well as technical expertise relevant to their field
(Elmbrook, 2019).
In the medical clinical setting, a good professional is an individual who advocates for
their patients and collaborates with others in order to support their patients. In addition,
professionalism also entails. Professionals are also individuals who practice good
communication skills and make their patients feel cared for at all times (Nortjé and
Hoffmann,2018).
The concept of Continuous professional development and life-long learning are essential
components in radiography practice. It describes the activities in which professionals engage to
enhance and develop their professional abilities. Through professional development, the learning
process becomes proactive and conscious rather than reactive and passive. In continuous
professional development, different learning methodologies are combined to enhance effective
professional development (CPD Certification Service, 2019). These methods include sharing of
ideas and best practice techniques, e-learning programs, events, conferences and training
workshops. On the other hand, lifelong learning is a self-motivated and voluntary pursuit of
knowledge for personal or professional reasons. Lifelong learning is integral for self-
sustainability, personal development, and competitiveness. For professionals in the healthcare
field, lifelong learning is mandatory. This means that individuals are expected to continuously
engage in learning activities in order to maintain the provision of effective and safe care and in
order to remain professionally relevant. Life-long-learning and continuous professional
development provide an opportunity for radiographers to learn new skills and keep their
knowledge updated. In return, they are able to continue providing safe and effective care leading
to improved patient’s outcomes.
Radiographers should, therefore, seek to develop their skills and knowledge through continuous
professional development and life-long learning in order to maintain standards of proficiency in
their professional practice (Sloane and Miller,2018).In addition, through engagement in
continuing professional development, radiographers are able to re-skill and upskill themselves
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regardless of their educational level, age or occupation. It, therefore, ensures that both
professional and academic qualifications do not become obsolete (Felipe-Valera,2019).
In order to meet standards of proficiency, radiographers are also required to maintain
proper interactions with patients. Generally, patient’s outcomes are largely dependent on
effective communication between the patient and physician (Alpert, 2019). Radiographers
should, therefore, encourage and maintain open communication with their patients to facilitate
adherence to treatment plans and facilitate appropriate patient counseling.
Communication failure in the clinical setting is one of the common challenges faced by
healthcare professionals. It may either result from inaccurate or inattentive listening. Failure to
decipher what is being said can lead to unnecessary misunderstandings or prolonged discussions.
It is therefore important for radiographers to carefully and effectively listen to their patients
during interactions. For the purpose of effective physician-patient interactions, a radiographer
should use simple language and less technical jargon when conversing with patients (Alpert,
2019). They should also strive to achieve complete and focused attention by keeping away any
distractive devices such as phones. Additionally, in the course of interacting with their patients,
radiographers should introduce themselves and provide their patients with any relevant
information during treatment or examination. By practicing effective communication when
interacting with patients, radiographers can ease patient anxiety and contribute to improved
quality of care and patient satisfaction (Herr, Hanna and Restauri,2018).
In the clinical setting, radiographers are expected to willingly take part in training,
teaching, supervision, appraisal, and assessment of student radiographers, trainees, and assistant
radiographers. Additionally, they are also expected to take the roles of training and teaching
other professionals in certain practice areas such as ultrasound training for midwives and nurses.
In order to achieve this objective, they should develop practices of the required skills as well as
strive to become competent and caring trainers. Effectiveness in the clinical setting requires
honesty and objectivity, particularly when accessing performance, as well as when appraising or
supervising. In addition, radiographers are expected to practice in a competent and safe manner
within their scope (Society of Radiographers, 2019 b)
In conclusion, professional behavior is an essential requirement in the radiography
profession. Student radiographers are expected to maintain specific professional behavior within
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both at the university and within the clinical setting. First in order to meet standards of
proficiency, they are required not to take part in any activity, which they consider unethical,
secondly, maintenance of safe practice for self, other professionals and patients is also a
necessity. Student radiographers should also carry out their responsibilities without violating
regulatory requirements. Maintenance of effective communication is also essential for meeting
standards of proficiency. Continuous professional development and long-life learning are also
needed to ensure that radiographers continually update their skills to enhance patient outcomes.
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References
Alpert, J. (2019). 5 dos and don’ts for communicating in clinical settings. [online] Elsevier
Connect. Available at: https://www.elsevier.com/connect/5-dos-and-donts-for-communicating-
in-clinical-settings [Accessed 11 Jun. 2019]..
CPD Certification Service (2019). CPD Explained. [online] CPD - The CPD Certification
Service. Available at: https://cpduk.co.uk/explained [Accessed 11 Jun. 2019].
Elmbrook (2019). Qualities of a Good Professional | Our Philosophy | Elmbrook Center.
[online] Elmbrook Center. Available at:
https://www.elmbrookcenter.org/our-philosophy/qualities-of-a-good-professional/ [Accessed 10
Jun. 2019].
Health & Care Professions Council, S. (2018). Radiographers |. [online] Available at
https://www.hcpc-uk.org/standards/standards-of-proficiency/radiographers/ [Accessed 10 Jun.
2019].
Herr, K.D., Hanna, T.N. and Restauri, N., 2018. Cultivating physician character in diagnostic
radiology through virtuous caring and collaborative professionalism. Academic
Radiology, 25(11), pp.1497-1502.
Felipe-Valera, E.M., 2019. Professionalism in Radiography: A Multiple Case Study (Doctoral
dissertation, Keiser University).
Nortjé, N. and Hoffmann, W.A., 2018. Perspectives on the development of professionalism as
experienced by radiography students. Radiography, 24(2), pp.110-114.
Sloane, C. and Miller, P.K., 2018. Coping and the plain radiography student: professionalism and
the crippling dilemma of accountability before and after graduation.
Society of Radiographers (2019). 4. Personal & Professional Standards | Society of
Radiographers. [online] Sor.org. Available at:
https://www.sor.org/learning/document-library/code-conduct-and-ethics/4-personal-professional-
standards [Accessed 10 Jun. 2019].
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Society of Radiographers (2019). 1. Scope of Professional Practice | Society of Radiographers.
[online] Sor.org. Available at: https://www.sor.org/learning/document-library/code-conduct-and-
ethics/1-scope-professional-practice [Accessed 11 Jun. 2019].
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