8th Baltic Congress of Radiology

08.10.2022 Tallinn, Estonia

International perspectives on the development of the radiographer profession. The role of the ISRRT, upcoming challenges and opportunities

Håkon Hjemly (Norway)

Vice President, ISRRT Europe Africa

Biography: Håkon Hjemly is ISRRT Vice President Europe Africa since 2018. He is Manager of Policy at the Norwegian Society of Radiographers. His main responsibilities for the society are related to professional role development of radiographers and to health political issues. He has a master degree in clinical health, focusing on role development for radiographers, and post graduate education in both digital imaging processing and in x-ray protection. Prior to the work for his Society, he had variety of roles in both private and public sector in Norway; Clinical Radiographer, QA-administrator, Manager, Radiation Protection Officer, Product Specialist and Sales Representative (CT, Mammography and C-arm). Håkon is also past president of the EFRS and served on the board for two terms. He is chairing on behalf of the ISRRT a joint project with the EFRS focusing on radiographers role with artificial intelligence.

Presentation

Black Box

Synopsis: Abstract:
The presentation aims to give an overview of the development and challenges for the radiography profession internationally. Both historical achievements, current issues and future perspectives will be presented such as the evolvement of ISRRT and how we are organised and work, development of “best practise documents” and professional standards, position statements and the role of radiographers with new technology like AI. The ISRRT Academic Network (IAN) will also be presented, that is a new global ISRRT initiative in research and other academic activities.
Thesis:
The development of the radiography profession is far from homogeneous when comparing regions and countries. There are still big differences and challenges related to education and professional standards that the ISRRT are working to improve. Developing guidance and policy documents, and making available educational resources is a main task for the ISRRT. Another important task is to educate radiographers and contribute to higher standards in less resourced countries around the world. In many countries the radiography profession does not get the recognition as specialised health personnel that it deserves and are often mistaken for being nurses or technical assistants. Making the profession recognised and more visible is a major task for ISRRT and the organisation is constantly seeking to be represented and speak up for radiographers at important meetings at international level. The profession has always adapted to changes and will probably always have to do so in the future. How we prepare for and position our selves is very important for how our future with new technology as AI will be. The possibilities for more responsibilities and autonomy for radiographers are there, but also the risk of new technology being a “sleeping pillow” that may lead to radiographers being obsolete and outsourced by lower educated workers.

This agenda item is presented in the following session: S7-1 International perspectives

Plenary session

08.10.2022 13:30 - 15:00