Transforming and Supporting Patient Care - Health Professions ...

157Chapter 6 – Scope of Practice of Medical Radiation Technologyadditional or different procedures and consult other health professionals toensure the best possible care of the patient. As well, inclusion of the word“data” is suggested to acknowledge the move to digital imaging andcomputerized reporting.Finally, the proposed scope of practice statement recognizes that MRTsperforming either diagnostic or therapeutic interventions are responsiblefor monitoring the condition of the patient before, during and after theprocedure. For example, MRTs in magnetic resonance perform safetyscreening for metal implants and other contraindications before proceedingwith a scan, and are trained to recognize and address signs of emotionaldistress in patients undergoing scans. MRTs in radiological technology ornuclear medicine might assess blood test results prior to injecting contrastmedia or other substances. MRTs in radiation therapy monitor the physical,mental and emotional state of patients undergoing a course of radiation forcancer.HPRAC is of the view that scope of practice statements should describe thebroad practice of the profession, so as to provide the parameters withinwhich controlled acts authorized in the profession-specific Acts can beperformed. It is not the purpose of a scope of practice statement to itemizethe various tasks involved in the practice of any particular profession.Rather, standards of practice and professional practice guidelines shouldelaborate on the detailed aspects of a profession’s role, whether or not theyare controlled acts. The broad scope of practice statement in the legislationis one part of the scope of practice of a profession.Generally, the proposed scope of practice statement is more detailed thanin other Canadian jurisdictions and other regulated health professions. Forexample, assessment of patients is generally not included and forms ofenergy are not explicitly cited in scope of practice statements.HPRAC agrees that the scope of practice statement should reflect thepractice reality that radiation and forms of energy are used for bothdiagnostic and therapeutic interventions. While HPRAC understands thatthe assessment and monitoring of a patient’s condition before, during andafter a diagnostic or therapeutic intervention is central to the practice ofthe profession and critical to optimal outcomes and patient safety, it isbeyond the purpose of a scope of practice statement. Finally, suggestingthat MRTs assess images and data rather than assess the technicalsufficiency of images and data causes some concern for HPRAC. It risks aninterpretation of the knowledge, skill and judgment of MRTs that is beyondtheir current competencies. Assessment is not a controlled act though it isinherent to the practice of virtually all regulated health professions. Usingthe term “assess” in the way proposed by the College and Associationwould appear to closely resemble the concept of “diagnose”. For example,what is the difference between “assessing” an abnormality on an image and“diagnosing” a disease? HPRAC believes the expertise of MRTs lies inproviding quality images that facilitate diagnosis by a health professionalwho has the authority to communicate that diagnosis, as well as inparticipating in image-guided therapy and administering radiation therapy.HPRAC Critical Links January 2009