22nd Singapore-Malaysia Radiographers Conference

18 Aug 2007
By Mr Heng Chee How
Venue: Grand Plaza Park Hotel

Mr Michael Ong, President, Singapore Society of Radiographers,
Haji Mohd Zin Yusof, President, Malaysia Society of Radiographers,
Dr Philip Ballinger, Professor Emeritus, Ohio State University,
Organising Committee of the 22nd Singapore-Malaysia Radiographers’ Conference,
Friends and Members of the Singapore Society of Radiographers and the Malaysia
Society of Radiographers

I am pleased to officiate the opening of the 22nd Singapore-Malaysia
Radiographers’ Conference and to see the long lasting ties between Singapore and
Malaysia in radiography. I note that the Singapore Society of Radiographers was
started way back in 1958. I would like to take this opportunity to commend your
eminent radiographers – e.g. the late Mr K. Vaithilingam and Dr Tyrone Goh, who
were elected and served as past presidents of the International Society of
Radiographers and Radiological Technologists. They are among those who have
indeed been internationally recognised as outstanding professionals.

This year’s theme – Reflect, Research, React – is a catchy theme that has
important pointers to change the way we work.

Reflect
Radiography today is increasingly complex. In the past there were only Xrays
but today we have many different modes of imaging - fluoroscopy, Computer
Tomography or CT-Scan, projection radiography like mammography densitometry,
ultrasound, Magnetic Resonance Imaging or MRI, Positron Emission Tomography or
PET Scan. Highly skilled radiographers who are able to adapt quickly to the evolving
field are in demand. We should not let the speed of change from new technologies in
healthcare and the busyness of the healthcare industry trap us in routine and high
volume work. We need to stop from time to time and as a health team reflect
whether we give the best possible care to our patients.

Patients trust your skills. They also may not be able to differentiate what is
best for them. Such trust from patients comes with a responsibility from us – do we
treat our patients in the same manner as those we love and care for? The basis of
the healthcare profession is compassion for the sick - we must indeed take care of
our patients as well as we do for our loved ones.

Research
Research breeds excellence and enables us to be on the cutting edge of
practice. Research is not just the domain of the scientists as evidence-based
practice is universal to healthcare. I believe the incorporation of the “Students’
Conference” helps your profession think of improvements and to be a thinking
radiographer from an early stage. I would like to commend Dr Mohd Hanafi Ali for
being the first radiographer in this region to attain PhD qualifications.

React
The academic activities and sharing that you will be involved in this
conference must result in better practice. While we may seek more knowledge, it
takes wisdom to apply the knowledge to the right situations in the right time and in
the right way.

Continuing professional development is either already compulsory or going to
be compulsory in a number of healthcare professions in Singapore including doctors,
dentists and nurses. In future this may extend to the allied health profession too.
Attending conferences and seminars, such as this one, is part of continuing
professional development. We will need to prepare for the day when it becomes
mandatory for radiographers as well and this requires well-structured programmes
that will improve practice and increase skills. Continuing professional development
keeps you up-to-date with current best practices and will help you to stay competent
and relevant in the rapidly evolving field. As radiography and its training develop, it is
important for the skills and training of radiographers to go beyond diplomas and
degrees. I can envisage that in pursuing academic excellence, Singapore may also
have PhD radiographers in time to come.

Exciting new frontiers for radiography include first line reporting of X-rays.
While radiologists have a clear role to play in reading and diagnosis of X-rays and
other imaging, the radiographer can assist in this too. Just as Advance Practice
Nurses can take over some of the doctors’ roles so that doctors can do more
complex work, radiographers too can do this so that radiologists can do more valueadded
complex work. It is increasingly recognised that all levels of healthcare
professionals must not only increase the level of their skills but delegate skills as well
in order to progress and improve the system. For example, radiographers have
extended their roles to perform intravenous administration of contrast media, which
was previously done by radiologists. Radiation therapists have also taken on
extended roles in planning and dosimetry, calculating the optimal dose to be
delivered and determining the path of administration of the dose, a role traditionally
carried out by radiation physicists. Such progress increases the standing of the
profession.

I note that the UK has been very successful in the role extension of
radiographers, particularly with radiographers’ reporting. Trained radiographers are
now responsible for the reporting of plain film X-rays and ultrasounds. This has
translated into a more cost-effective service with faster turnaround times. However, it
is important to note that this achievement was made possible as a result of a close
partnership between radiographers and radiologists.

The role extension of radiographers must be accompanied by higher quality
all round. This includes skills upgrading, training, regulation of professional
standards and appropriate audit frameworks for radiographers in order to safeguard
the standards of reporting. Success with teleradiology showed that proper audit
frameworks can be put in place to ensure high standards in reading X-rays.
Turnaround time for X-ray reports from teleradiology have reduced days to hours,
and greater convenience, as patients no longer have to make return trips to the
clinics to know the result. Teleradiology has also resulted in cost-savings.

Our goal and destination is better care for patients. With this in mind,
obstacles can be overcome as we strive towards excellence and quality. I would like
to declare the 22nd Singapore Malaysia Radiographers’ Conference open on this
note, and wish you an enjoyable and enriching time in learning and networking.

Thank you.