Is There a Need to Establish Clinical Specialist and Consultant Radiographer Positions in Our Settings: Zambia and Zimbabwe?

Authors

  • Osward Bwanga Midland University Hospital Tullamore, Radiology Department
  • Bornface Chinene Harare Institute of Technology, Department of Radiography, Zimbabwe
  • Ncheebe Sindaza Cancer Diseases Hospital, Radiotherapy Department, Lusaka

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55320/mjz.51.1.459

Abstract

The practice of radiography is developing and changing globally. This development is due to the availability of a range of advanced imaging modalities such as ultrasonography (US), computed tomography (CT), mammography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and nuclear medicine (NM) and meeting the changing demands of the healthcare delivery system. The radiography career pathways in Zambia and Zimbabwe were created when advanced imaging modalities were unavailable. With radiographers obtaining specialised qualifications in these imaging modalities, it is necessary to establish clinical specialist radiographer positions similar to medical doctors in our settings and radiographers in most non-African countries. The clinical specialist radiographer position is unavailable in our local radiography career pathway despite the Health Professions Council of Zambia (HPCZ) and Allied Health Practitioners Council of Zimbabwe (AHPCZ) having a specialist register for radiographers. In our settings, radiographers also depend on consultant radiologists for clinical leadership. However, radiology and radiography are different professions. To develop the radiography profession and retain radiographers, it is necessary to revise the career pathway and incorporate consultant radiographer positions to provide clinical leadership to their colleagues. This would improve the delivery of imaging services in Zambia and Zimbabwe.

 

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Published

14-06-2024

Issue

Section

Review Article

How to Cite

Is There a Need to Establish Clinical Specialist and Consultant Radiographer Positions in Our Settings: Zambia and Zimbabwe? . (2024). Medical Journal of Zambia, 51(1), 79-87. https://doi.org/10.55320/mjz.51.1.459

Most read articles by the same author(s)

<< < 1 2 3