Current job and digital tools

I work as a radiographer at a private medical clinic. In addition to basic x-rays, our unit conducts computed tomography, ultrasound, mammography and magnetic resonance imaging.  The work of a radiographer requires technical expertise, and this makes a computer an important tool. The use of various digital tools and applications has become increasingly common in the work of a radiographer. In fact, they play a significant role in my work. All imaging devices are digital and most make use of artificial intelligence in one way or another.  In addition to imaging devices, these days almost all the tools I need in my daily work are digital, for example image processing programs, imaging archives and patient information systems. We have two different patient information systems that we use simultaneously on a daily basis, RIS and DynamicHealth. They show patient’s referrals, risk information and record information related to the imaging study.  The radiation received by the patient is recorded as a different entry in the patient information system. Patient guidance has also partly transitioned to digital platforms. Patients can now access the results of their imaging studies from a mobile app for example.

The entire organisation’s common digital communication channel is the cloud-based app SharePoint, where information is shared and managed securely. SharePoint has also replaced the company’s intranet in many respects. Other digital communication channels commonly used in my work are Teams and WhatsApp. A national meeting of radiographers is held monthly trough Teams. There are also various operating instruction, such as our unit`s modality-specific instructions, that are shared through Teams. In addition to e-mail, WhatsApp acts as a communication tool in acute matters.

New social media tools that could be used in my work

YouTube. I think there is an answer to almost anything on YouTube these days. By making YouTube videos, we could make the profession and the work of a radiographer more visible. For example, videos could be used to showcase different imaging devices and their uses. I have noticed that magnetic resonance imaging in particular raises a lot of questions in patients, as well as the occasional concern. Videos related to the imaging process would certainly be helpful. We could explain and show how the MRI machine functions during imaging. These videos would particularly benefit child patients as well as patients with anxiety. Patients would be able to watch the videos at a convenient moment for them, well before their appointments. YouTube videos aimed at children could be more playful than videos aimed at adults.  

ChatGPT. I have become familiar with ChatGPT during my current studies, but I have not used it at work yet. I think that the program could have the potential to work well as a supporting tool in patience guidance. Patients often do not know what type of x-ray or MRI they are coming in for and how to prepare for it.  ChatGPT could provide answers to questions that patients might have. I also asked ChatGPT directly how it thought it could be used in the work of a radiographer. ChatGPT’s response was that it is capable of providing support for information retrieval and that it can be useful in helping to maintain one’s own competence. It can also be used for compiling patient instructions and can assist in other similar administrative tasks. It also pointed out that it does not replace clinical decision-making or diagnosis but only serves as an aid.

Open Badget. Some time ago I received my first Open Badget for the professional training I attended. I immediately thought about how convenient it would be to get digital badges from all training courses instead of paper certificates. It would be easy to add them to my CV and competence profile. Open badges could also be used to demonstrate competence as a radiographer and could be used in orientation. Open Badges could be achieved, for example, from different modalities, such as MRI competence.

DeepL. This tool works as a translation aid and that is definitely something I need in my profession. Professional literature and studies in the field of radiology are mostly in English. This tool could also be used to make operating and patient instructions. In addition to the Finnish instructions, all instructions must also be available in Swedish and English. It is also possible that I will end up in a situation where I do not have a common language with the patient and an interpreter is not available. In these cases, the translation application can save the situation.

LinkedIn. I have heard of this social medial tool in relation to job searching, but I have not used it myself. Maybe because I enjoy my current job and have not thought about changing employers. Despite this, LinkedIn could support my professional development and help me build professional connections. It would certainly help keep up to date with interesting events and trends in the field. I have also heard that you can get interesting job offers through LinkedIn.

Opportunities and challenges of social media

Social media is central to modern communication. It reaches and connects people easily, regardless of time and place. Social media makes it easier to network, and to share and access information. It also gives room for self-expression. Social media increases the sense of community and serves as a source of peer support for different patient groups for example. There are obviously also challenges with the use of social media and social media apps require thoughtful and responsible use. Social media use can be a pleasant pastime or a work-related task, but it can also be addictive, cause excessive use and strain mental health. The reliability of social media content must be evaluated critically, as social media can also be used to spread false information. Information security and privacy must also be taken into account when using social media to prevent personal information from falling into the wrong hands.

Self-evaluation

During this assignment, I talked about the digital tools that relate my work as a radiographer and found that nowadays patient`s entire treatment, from them receiving a referral to me recording their images, is digital. I also became familiar with various social media applications that I didn’t even know existed. My use of social media has been limited to leisure time but now I am learning how to use it at work as well. I believe that in the future, the use of social media willonly increase within the healthcare sector. In general, the use of social media is widely spread these days and therefore it is important that the opportunities and risks related to it are understood and openly discussed.