An investigation into the perceived value of the College of Radiographers voluntary accreditation scheme for advanced and consultant practitioners in breast imaging

Deane, L.; Robinson, L.; England, A

Abstract

Introduction

A voluntary accreditation scheme has been introduced, requiring advanced (AdP) and consultant practitioners (CP) to submit several pieces of work to the College of Radiographers (CoR). However, few individuals have opted to become voluntary accredited. This study investigated the reasons behind becoming voluntary accredited, the value that was gained and why there appears to be a lack of support for the scheme.

Methods

An online electronic survey was conducted using a mixed methods approach. Open questions enabled individual opinions and thoughts to be expressed, Likert scale style questions allowed further understanding of the level of agreement and closed questions identified the support for and against the scheme.

Results

A total of 55 respondents participated, including 18 AdPs, 25 CPs, 1 consultant trainee practitioner, 5 practitioners and 6 listed as ‘other’. Forty-four participants were non-accredited, citing too much clinical work; no recognition from employers and too much effort for little reward. Motivations for joining the scheme were to improve the profession; help create a new consultant post and protect the non-clinical element of the consultant role.

Conclusion

The CoR voluntary accreditation scheme has a small perceived value but overall, the majority of respondents believed the scheme did not warrant the work needed to apply. Concern was raised about the risk of creating a two-tier profession by the scheme's instigation. The results of this study suggest that the CoR's voluntary accreditation scheme would need to address these barriers before more practitioners would apply.

Citation

Deane, L., Robinson, L., & England, A. (2019). An investigation into the perceived value of the College of Radiographers voluntary accreditation scheme for advanced and consultant practitioners in breast imaging. Radiography, 25(3), 207-213. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radi.2019.01.004

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jan 15, 2019
• Online Publication Date: Jul 10, 2019
• Publication Date: Jul 10, 2019
• Deposit Date: Dec 6, 2019
• Journal: Radiography
• Print ISSN: 1078-8174
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Volume: 25
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 207-213
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radi.2019.01.004
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radi.2019.01.004
• Related Public URLs: https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/radiography
• Additional Information: Additional Information : ** Article version: AM ** Embargo end date: 10-07-2020 ** From Elsevier via Jisc Publications Router ** Licence for AM version of this article starting on 10-07-2020: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ **Journal IDs: issn 10788174 **History: issue date 31-08-2019; published_online 10-07-2019; accepted 15-01-2019; Projects : HST1617-203