Study of lone working magnetic resonance technologists in Western Australia

Objectives: It is recommended that magnetic resonance (MR) technologists should not work alone due to potential occupational health risks although lone working is legally acceptable. The objective of this study was to investigate the current situation of lone working of MR technologists in Western A...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Dewland, T., Hancock, L., Sargeant, S., Bailey, R., Sarginson, R., Ng, Curtise
Format: Journal Article
Published: Springer 2013
Subjects:
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/15409
_version_ 1848748884914864128
author Dewland, T.
Hancock, L.
Sargeant, S.
Bailey, R.
Sarginson, R.
Ng, Curtise
author_facet Dewland, T.
Hancock, L.
Sargeant, S.
Bailey, R.
Sarginson, R.
Ng, Curtise
author_sort Dewland, T.
building Curtin Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description Objectives: It is recommended that magnetic resonance (MR) technologists should not work alone due to potential occupational health risks although lone working is legally acceptable. The objective of this study was to investigate the current situation of lone working of MR technologists in Western Australia (WA) and any issue against the regulations. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire regarding the issues of occupational health of lone MR technologists was developed based on relevant literature and distributed to WA MR technologists. Descriptive (percentage of frequency, mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (Fisher’s exact, chi-square and t tests, and analysis of variance) were used to analyse the responses of the yes/no, multiple choice and 5 point scale questions from the returned questionnaires.Results: The questionnaire response rate was 65.6% (59/90). It was found that about half of the MR technologists (45.8%, 27/59) experienced lone working. The private magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) centres were more likely to arrange technologists to work alone (p <0.05). The respondents expressed positive views on issues of adequacy of training and arrangement, confidence and comfort towards lone working except immediate assistance for emergency (mean: 3). Factors of existence of MRI safety officer (p < 0.05) and nature of lone working (p < 0.001-0.05) affected MR technologists’ concerns. Conclusions: Lone working of MR technologists is common in WA especially private centres. The training and arrangement provided seem to be adequate for meeting the legal requirements. However, several areas should be improved by the workplaces including enhancement on immediate assistance for emergency and concern relief.
first_indexed 2025-11-14T07:12:08Z
format Journal Article
id curtin-20.500.11937-15409
institution Curtin University Malaysia
institution_category Local University
last_indexed 2025-11-14T07:12:08Z
publishDate 2013
publisher Springer
recordtype eprints
repository_type Digital Repository
spelling curtin-20.500.11937-154092017-09-13T13:41:02Z Study of lone working magnetic resonance technologists in Western Australia Dewland, T. Hancock, L. Sargeant, S. Bailey, R. Sarginson, R. Ng, Curtise Magnetic resonance imaging safety Magnetic resonance technologist Lone working Australia Occupational health Objectives: It is recommended that magnetic resonance (MR) technologists should not work alone due to potential occupational health risks although lone working is legally acceptable. The objective of this study was to investigate the current situation of lone working of MR technologists in Western Australia (WA) and any issue against the regulations. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire regarding the issues of occupational health of lone MR technologists was developed based on relevant literature and distributed to WA MR technologists. Descriptive (percentage of frequency, mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (Fisher’s exact, chi-square and t tests, and analysis of variance) were used to analyse the responses of the yes/no, multiple choice and 5 point scale questions from the returned questionnaires.Results: The questionnaire response rate was 65.6% (59/90). It was found that about half of the MR technologists (45.8%, 27/59) experienced lone working. The private magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) centres were more likely to arrange technologists to work alone (p <0.05). The respondents expressed positive views on issues of adequacy of training and arrangement, confidence and comfort towards lone working except immediate assistance for emergency (mean: 3). Factors of existence of MRI safety officer (p < 0.05) and nature of lone working (p < 0.001-0.05) affected MR technologists’ concerns. Conclusions: Lone working of MR technologists is common in WA especially private centres. The training and arrangement provided seem to be adequate for meeting the legal requirements. However, several areas should be improved by the workplaces including enhancement on immediate assistance for emergency and concern relief. 2013 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/15409 10.2478/s13382-013-0159-2 Springer fulltext
spellingShingle Magnetic resonance imaging safety
Magnetic resonance technologist
Lone working
Australia
Occupational health
Dewland, T.
Hancock, L.
Sargeant, S.
Bailey, R.
Sarginson, R.
Ng, Curtise
Study of lone working magnetic resonance technologists in Western Australia
title Study of lone working magnetic resonance technologists in Western Australia
title_full Study of lone working magnetic resonance technologists in Western Australia
title_fullStr Study of lone working magnetic resonance technologists in Western Australia
title_full_unstemmed Study of lone working magnetic resonance technologists in Western Australia
title_short Study of lone working magnetic resonance technologists in Western Australia
title_sort study of lone working magnetic resonance technologists in western australia
topic Magnetic resonance imaging safety
Magnetic resonance technologist
Lone working
Australia
Occupational health
url http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/15409