Professional development and research are being neglected: a commentary on the 2019 RCR radiologists' supporting professional activities (SPA) survey

Current pressure on the UK imaging workforce deters imaging research in the NHS and requires urgent attention

Medical imaging is a multidisciplinary specialty, combining clinical expertise from medical physics, radiography, and radiology, and plays a key role in patient care. Research is vital to ensure the care delivered to patients is evidence-based, and is a core component of clinical governance; however, there are pressures on the imaging workforce, which are significantly impeding imaging research. This commentary presents a research gap analysis pertaining to the multidisciplinary imaging workforce on behalf of the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Imaging Workforce Group. Data were summarised from membership surveys of the Royal College of Radiologists, Society and College of Radiographers, and Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine; national reports; and feedback from NIHR Clinical Research Network Imaging Champions meeting in 2020/2021. Common barriers to delivering research were found across the multidisciplinary workforce. The key issues were lack of staff, lack of time, and lack of funding to backfill clinical services. Given the ongoing workforce shortages and increasing clinical demands on radiologists, diagnostic radiographers, and medical physicists, these issues must be tackled with a high priority to ensure the future of clinical research within the NHS.

Survey of research participation amongst UK radiology trainees: aspirations, barriers, solutions and the Radiology Academic Network for Trainees (RADIANT)

AIM

To inform the activity of the newly formed Radiology Academic Network for Trainees (RADIANT) regarding the current level of interest, engagement, and barriers experienced by UK radiology trainees to undertake research.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A web-based survey containing nine questions was sent to the UK radiology training programme directors for distribution to trainees. The survey was also distributed to all trainee members of the RADIANT network. This led to 224 responses over a period of 2 months.

RESULTS

A large proportion of respondents indicated a desire to participate in research in the next 12 months 72.3% (n=162). The most frequently reported barriers to research were lack of time (60.7%, n=136), lack of awareness of local/departmental opportunities (53.6%, n=120), and limited experience in research statistics (46%, n=103). The most favoured factor that would improve access to research was structured research training opportunities, qualified as a project with clear goals and timeline (71%, n=159), protected time for research (68.8%, n=154), and local or national trainee research networks (40.2%, n=90 and 37.1%, n=83, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Many radiology trainees would like to participate in research, but multiple barriers exist. The formation of RADIANT is seen as a key part of a multifaceted approach to improving access to quality research activity alongside support from local and regional training bodies.