Managers can push forward CoR’s research strategy
 Many managers have recently received the booklet from the HPC setting out the requirements for continuous professional development (CPD). This document states that all CPD should be related to practice. There is also the requirement to provide evidence that practitioners are fulfilling their KSF (Knowledge and Skills Framework) outline.
The College of Radiographers’ Research Strategy aims to increase the amount of research being undertaken by the profession. There are still large areas of radiographic practice which do not have underpinning literature and the tendency to do things ‘because that’s the way we’ve always done them’ still has some prevalence.
This is where managers can play an active part; by incorporating the need to be research active within their annual development reviews. Most medical practitioners are expected to publish and this expectation needs to be extended into radiography if we are to fulfil the desire to become a profession in the eyes of others. It is reasonable to expect those banded at grade 7 and above (ie advanced practitioner or equivalent) to produce one written paper a year (or the equivalent such as a poster or conference presentation).
Similarly, those who have just gained their degree may be encouraged to consider whether their dissertation may be published in some form such as a presentation at UKRC student conference or a review paper using the literature section.
Your department may be spending lots of money sending practitioners on postgraduate HE courses. One way of getting some payback from that expense would be to encourage your staff to turn their assignments from the course into published papers or conference posters. This raises the profile of your department and adds to the body of literature for the profession. The College’s Research Group are aware that there is a lot of work going on which is never disseminated to the wider profession.
Dr Pauline Reeves
Superintendent Radiographer
Arrowe Park Hospital, Wirral
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