Healthy Volunteers
Conditions
Keywords
X-ray imaging, Remote supervision, Non-radiology personnel, Image adequacy, Radiation safety, Operator workload, Upskiling, Training
Brief summary
The goal of this feasibility study is to learn if individuals without formal radiology training can safely acquire adequate x-ray images following a structured training and real-time remote guidance from a licensed radiologic technologist (RT). The main question it aims to answer is: 1. Can trained non-radiology staff, with real-time remote supervision, obtain x-ray images that meet preset technical quality standards for each required view? 2. Can these staff perform x-ray exams safely, as shown by low operator exposure, few image re-takes, and good adherence to radiation safety protocols? 3. What is the mental and physical workload for the non-radiology staff and the remote RT during the imaging process, as measured by the NASA Raw Task Load Survey (RTLX) after each session?
Interventions
OTHERX-ray Operator Training
The structured training will cover core principles of radiography, positioning techniques, and how to use the ENDURO DR ES90 portable x-ray system. Additionally, participants will complete a self-paced radiation safety training course consisting of radiation safety protocols and operator safety principles.
Sponsors
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Study design
Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Intervention model description
This is a prospective, single-arm, simulation-based study.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Adults aged 18 or older * Able to read, speak, and understand English sufficient to follow study instructions and complete evaluation * Able to provide verbal consent * Currently employed as a medical assistant in a clinical or outpatient setting or actively enrolled in an accredited medical assistant training program * Willing to wear a personal dosimeter and comply with all radiation safety procedures * Willing to participate in all trainings
Exclusion criteria
* Prior or current professional training, certification, or education in radiography (formal or informal) * Prior experience performing x-rays a) including any prior hands-on testing experience with the ENDURO DR ES90 portable x-ray (prior observation or exposure to ENDURO DR is permitted) * Pregnancy or possible pregnancy (self-report) * Any condition or circumstance that would make participation unsafe
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Proportion of x-ray images rated as "diagnostically accurate" | Immediately following each x-ray image acquisition | Remote RT rates diagnostic adequacy of each image using a structured evaluation form |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Operator radiation exposure | 60 minutes from start of each imaging session | Each participant will wear a dosimeter badge to record level of radiation exposure during image acquisition. |
| X-ray operator reported workload | Within 24 hours from imaging session | Participants will complete the NASA Raw Task Load Survey |
| X-ray operator qualitative interview | Within one week of imaging session | Participants will provide brief qualitative feedback on training clarity and task difficulty via interview |
Countries
United States
Contacts
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORDavid Levine, MD, MPH, MA
Massachusetts General Hospital
Outcome results
None listed