Clinical factors impacting the psychological wellbeing of diagnostic radiographers in the UK

This article explores the clinical factors influencing the psychological wellbeing of diagnostic radiographers in the UK, emphasising the correlation between the radiographer’s wellbeing and the quality of patient care. Although often perceived as being a purely technical role, radiographers have a key role in most patients’ care pathways, often working in emotionally demanding and challenging environments. Despite this, they remain largely marginalised from debriefings and multidisciplinary teams, undermining their professional identity and motivation.

Staff shortages are often cited as a key factor; however, it is the impact of these on the skills mix within departments, compounded by increased demands of radiology services and inflexible shift patterns, that is the issue. These can result in excessive workloads, emotional strain and compassion fatigue, exacerbated by radiographers’ feelings of being overlooked and excluded, reinforcing their sense of professional isolation.

This article also explores the impacts of cultural normalisation in radiography of the ‘we just get on with it’ ethos. This approach risks depersonalisation and unrecognised compassion fatigue and burnout. This risks being compounded by feelings of guilt and fear of being stigmatised if support is sought out. Supervision and leadership are identified as having a key role in radiographers’ psychological wellbeing, be this in a negative or positive capacity.

The authors conclude that any improvement in psychological wellbeing is dependent on systemic cultural change, through which professional identity is enhanced and interprofessional learning is embedded at pre and postgraduate levels. Through this, compassionate leadership can be developed. The creation
of supportive working environments for radiographers will be beneficial to radiographers in respect of both staff retention and patient care.

To download and read this article as a pdf please sign up to our newsletter.

The content on this page is provided by the individuals concerned and does not represent the views or opinions of RAD Magazine.