Italian radiographers need education and on-the-job training.
Formal training for Italian radiographers involves completing higher education coursework plus on the job training. "Since these professionals use ionizing radiation, which is potentially harmful to the living cells, most countries have strict regulations, certifications and registration processes regarding the practice of this profession," reports the Titi Tudorancea Bulletin, but "education requirements vary slightly worldwide."
Italy
Researchers compared radiographer qualifications in ten countries, including Italy, and published their findings in the journal Radiological Education. Italy's requirements are four years of higher education from a structured program that includes formal lectures and informal film viewing; one year of clinical experience where training is supervised with little independent reporting and no on-call requirement for trainees; and attendance at multidisciplinary meetings. Italy includes training in life support. Nuclear medicine is treated as a separate entity for training and is not required. Annual exams are set by the individual teaching centers.
Assessment
Italian radiographers take annual exams.
The European Association of Radiologists, before merging with the European Congress of Radiology to form the European Society of Radiology, established guidelines for the educational goals, periodic assessments and annual reviews of radiographers. However, institutions in Europe still have fragmented policies, maintaining their own review systems alongside those of professional governing bodies for radiologists in training. In Italy, each resident's training and progress is the responsibility of the training hospital, not a national governing body, according to Radiological Education.
Global
"Rapidly changing technology will dictate the need for a highly skilled and probably internationally mobile or wired workforce," reports Radiological Education. "This may in turn require an international radiology qualification to unify standards across the globe." Radiology is unique in that it requires specific skills; it is also unique because radiographer skills can be applied globally, unlike some medical specializations where maintaining patient interaction at the local level is key.
Tags: Italian radiographers, Radiological Education, higher education
