SoR focuses on a shared standard: professionalism

The Society of Radiographers (SoR) has launched a professionalism campaign to help radiographers shape workplace culture and improve the experiences of their patients. The theme has been chosen by the SoR’s new president Rachel Nolan and will explore key ideas including integrity and accountability, psychological safety, empathy, visibility, professional judgement, collaboration and respect.

Nolan, who is also assistant imaging services and professional lead at North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust, said: “This is a vital time for the radiography profession. Rapid development of new technology, new treatments and growing demand for radiography services is placing an increased demand on the profession, and our members are experiencing capacity pressures and burnout as a result.

“This is a critical time to examine what it means to be a radiography professional in modern healthcare settings and why I am making professionalism the focus of my presidency. Over the course of this year-long campaign, we will use member experiences and feedback to help deliver practical tools and resources to support our members. There will be plenty of opportunities to get involved, and to showcase what it is we do to other healthcare professionals, patients and the public, demonstrating how vital radiographers are to improving patient care.”

In the coming months, the SoR will produce a range of guidance and practical resources to support members in maintaining professional standards and to help inform their practice. These include: a professionalism case studies email series designed to encourage reflection on common scenarios that radiographers encounter; a webinar using insight from real HCPC cases related to professionalism; and a virtual Schwartz Round that will explore professional identity. There will also be information on navigating boundaries with patients and colleagues as well as new guidance on maintaining professional standards when using social media.

Nolan explained how she demonstrates professionalism in her role every day: “I demonstrate professionalism by leading through example and setting clear expectations for staff and students, recognising that professional behaviours are fundamental to both effective leadership and the development of the future workforce.

“It’s about how my demeanour is with the people I work with, and how I interact with patients. I don’t work in a patient-facing role anymore; however, I do deal with complaints, risk, governance – that is part of professionalism as well.

“Patients and people are at the centre of everything I do. I strive to provide compassionate, respectful and inclusive care, and support the development and wellbeing of colleagues by fostering safe teams, mentoring staff and encouraging multidisciplinary collaboration.

“SoR members have co-created a definition for professionalism: it is our consistent commitment to integrity, accountability and compassionate person-centred care. By modelling empathy, visibility, allyship and fair challenge, we create psychologically safe cultures where patient safety and professional excellence remains the norm.”

Join the more than 34,000 radiography professionals who are already members of the society.

To engage with the campaign online, follow the SoR social channels or use the hashtag #RadProfessionalism.

This news story has been sponsored by the companies concerned and does not represent the views or opinions of RAD Magazine.