ISRRT_COVID-19_book

When the group first formed they utilised email as their primary form of communication. In
addition to monthly written newsletters the group met annually for a one day conference.
This enabled members to meet each other in person and benefit from a day of lectures from
fellow CT head reporting radiographers. Although the conference was centrally located to be
within easy travelling distance for most members it required an overnight stay for the
majority. The costs of the course were minimised through the kind support of the venue, but
travel expenses had to be covered by the individual. With the advent of social media a
Facebook® (FB) group was formed. Initially this group remained quite small with a
membership of only 100.
As the COVID-19 pandemic spread around the world, education for radiographers could not
be delivered in the traditional way. Courses were promptly cancelled and any in-person
interactions were curtailed. Initially radiographers did not have the time or spare mental
capacity to focus on CPD due to their essential role on the pandemic front line. Many
reporters found themselves not only returning to clinical work but to modalities they had not
practised in for some time to provide a flexible workforce. Radiographers were mentally and
physically exhausted.
As the world became aware that the pandemic was to be prolonged, it became apparent that
CPD opportunities would need to resume. Radiographers need to learn and develop
throughout their career, to ensure their skills and knowledge are up to date so that they can
practise safely. The longer the cessation of CPD opportunities continued, the bigger the gap
in knowledge would become.
The CT SIG group had to adapt its delivery of educational content as face-to-face CT Head SIG
meetings were no longer viable. As people started to feel more isolated the membership of
the FB group grew rapidly. The group decided to hold a monthly online meeting and used the
FB group to advertise the sessions. These online meetings have been remarkably successful
with over 60 delegates logging in via Zoom to discuss cases and ongoing issues affecting the
CT Head reporting community. The sessions are divided into two parts. The first covers
practical solutions to problems that reporters face such as fatigue, visual perception and
dealing with reporting errors. The second part is interactive and all members can contribute
to case reviews.
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