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The introduction of a postgraduate course specifically for Mammography that does not require any undergraduate imaging qualifications is raising concerns.
“Creating such a limited class of practitioner has the potential to reduce standards for Medical Imaging Professionals and undermine the quality of patient care and diagnosis,” said Andrew Hewat, VHPA Assistant Secretary.
The new Graduate Diploma of Mammography is due to start at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in 2014.
Under the terms of the course, basically anyone with an undergraduate degree in a health-science or medicine discipline can become a Mammographer.
“Such a postgraduate course would be welcome if it was designed for Radiographers to advance their training and skills. But this course opens the door for other sub-specialties of medical imaging to be ‘farmed out’ to non-medical radiation practitioners.“
“This is yet another example of the ‘professional squeeze’ that is threatening standards and undermining our career paths,” said Andrew Hewat.
The VHPA encourages members to express your concerns about the course by emailing the Course Program Leader.
Under whose recommendation,was this postgraduate course determined?A shortage in mammogragphers should not be a reason for this course? Training of Radiographers have always included a conscious respect and consideration for radiation dose versus a good diagnostic image.
Our main concern would be as to who will be monitoring the radiation dose especially when Breast screen sessions are not closely monitored by Radiologists.
In addition to this, radiographers wishing to further their career would have to compete with other limited practioners.
Thanks Dorai, we agree that the creation of this type of “short-cut” course into the profession is not a satisfactory solution to workforce issues. Charles Sturt University states that the course was devised under consultation with BreastScreen and the AIR. The radiation safety and quality issues are definitely concerns that the VHPA has expressed to the MRPBA and Victorian Radiation Advisory Committee. There has been no response from the Radiation Advisory Committee as to what type of x-ray licence will be issued in Victoria for these practitioners. The VHPA encourages members to also express their concerns to the regulatory body: radiation.safety@health.vic.gov.au
Yours,
Andrew Hewat, VHPA Assistant Secretary