A U.K. PhD study project will explore the experiences of diagnostic radiographers who image patients from prison, and the role these radiographers play in imaging marginalized people, according to a report from the Society of Radiographers.
Christian Ven Emery.Courtesy of U.K. Society of Radiologists
Christian Ven Emery, a second-year PhD researcher at Birmingham City University (BCU), said that the fully-funded EXPOSE PhD project aims to explore the lived experiences of diagnostic radiographers in imaging people from prison in acute hospital settings.
"People from prison" refers to patients who are currently serving a prison sentence or are under the custody of the criminal justice system, according to the project’s site.
The EXPOSE project, which is supervised by Prof. Joanne Brooke and Dr. Olanrewaju Lawal, builds on previous studies of other healthcare professionals' experiences supporting people from prison, and that have identified challenges affecting equitable care and practice.
The study is being conducted in the U.K. and focuses specifically on diagnostic radiographers with the aim of informing radiography education and training, as well as shaping departmental protocols and guiding policy development on delivering equitable imaging services, according to Emery.
“People from prison are among the most vulnerable and marginalized groups who experience health inequities, despite the existence of policies such as the Equivalence of Care Principle by the NHS England," Emery said. “Diagnostic radiographers play a key role in healthcare by performing imaging examinations for all populations, including people in prison, to aid disease diagnosis and management.”
The study, which Emery noted is the first of its kind for diagnostic radiographers, is based on the findings of a systematic review conducted as part of the mixed-methods PhD project.
Emery, who holds a Bachelor’s degree in diagnostic imaging technology from the University of Cape Coast and a PgCert in research practice from BCU, is also a Fellow of the International Society for MR Radiographers & Technologists Future Leaders Program (Ghana Division).
Data collection is currently ongoing; diagnostic radiographers interested in participating should visit the project’s survey site.
