HENRE – ABOUT US
THEMES for 2002–2005   SUB GROUP 1   SUB GROUP 2   SUB GROUP 3  
AGM2003   AGM 2004   HENRE Phase 2   HENRE Promotions

HENRE – ABOUT US

Traditionally, the development of the radiography profession in the various European countries has taken different paths with the result that the quality, the level and the nature of the performance of radiographers and the educational level has not been the same throughout Europe. Consequently, mutual academic and professional recognition is not yet applicable throughout the EU.

The difference in educational status of radiographers throughout Europe is identifiable as in many countries radiographic education lies outside the University system. This inevitably means that in some European contexts, graduate level radiographers are encouraged to undertake an expanded role in areas conventionally seen as within the province of a medically qualified practitioner. The UK has led the field in this area of development. In addition, within the diagnostic sphere, the use of different imaging modalities has required the development of programmes of study to enable radiographers to qualify in specialist areas.

It has become apparent through the Socrates student exchange system that there are many issues of mutual interest and concern in the education and training of radiographers that would benefit from closer co-operation between the European partners offering radiographic education.

The motivation and thus the general aim behind the radiographic network (HENRE) is to enable radiographers throughout Europe to liase about the changing role of radiography and within this context to develop, harmonise and improve standards of professional practice and education.

Radiography is a rapidly expanding and changing profession and educators must keep abreast of the requirements of the health services to ensure high quality provision. The education of radiographers and thus the status, abilities and the expectations of radiographers varies throughout the countries of Europe inevitably leading to the issue of professional and academic recognition not occurring in a European context.

The network for radiography (HENRE) will seek to enable the development of a European dimension in the type and quality of radiographic educational provision and it will do this through the exchange of experiences that radiographic educators have both in the HE sector and elsewhere. It will develop a network of educators to share in the experience of learning and teaching innovation and identify those areas where harmonisation is achievable. At the same time it will enable the pan European development of continuing education to respond to the rapid developments occurring in imaging modalities and the necessity of maintaining a quality imaging service in times of radiographer recruitment shortages.

The attempt to harmonise educational provision within Europe has been a long term-goal of the International Society of Radiographers and Radiological Technologists (ISRRT). It is seen through this thematic network that one way to make this is a reality is through the education providers at HE level leading the way and bringing together the Institutions to enable the development and validation of a common primary qualification for radiographers. In addition, the integration of the previously Eastern European nations within the EU is seen as important step forward.

The pan European shortage of radiographers is an issue that needs to be looked at in terms of how the European health services can maintain a fully functioning and high quality radiographic service with a reduction in staff with the necessary expertise.
Top of page

THEMES for 2002–2005

Three sub groups have been set up with specific tasks to address. It is hoped that eventually a student group may also be established.
The sub groups are addressing the following themes:

SUB GROUP 1
The nature of the European dimension in radiographic education – initial radiography training

SUB GROUP 2
Development of learning and teaching methods used in radiographic education including e-learning, active learning and Context /Problem Based Learning (C/PBL) opportunities

SUB GROUP 3
Development of Continuing Professional Development in relation to the use of different imaging modalities and role expansion whilst at the same time maintaining a quality service with fewer radiography staff members
Top of page

SUBGROUP THEMES & OBJECTIVES:

SUB GROUP 1
European dimension in radiography education – initial radiography training
The exact nature of the European educational provision for the entry into the radiographic profession is not widely known. Many countries have introduced an undergraduate BSc programme some being at Honours level others not. This network will seek to explore the nature of that provision. With this in mind the objectives for this theme are to:

Explore and identify the nature of radiographic education across Europe within and outwith the HE sector
Identify the learning outcomes of radiographic programmes of study at Bachelor level
Develop a peer review system for radiography education with the production of a directory.
Facilitate interaction and integration for the Eastern and Central European region
Review quality assurance mechanisms and benchmarks for radiographic education and to disseminate such information
Develop academic and professional profiles
Top of page

SUB GROUP 2
Development of learning and teaching methods used in radiographic education including e-learning, active learning and Context /Problem Based Learning (C/PBL) opportunities

The objectives for this theme are to:

Explore the learning and teaching methods so as to develop best practice
Explore the extent to which e-learning opportunities are used within radiography education, including if applicable the chosen Virtual Learning Environment (VLE)

SUB GROUP 3
Development of CPD in relation to the use of different imaging modalities and role expansion whilst at the same time maintaining a quality service with fewer radiography staff members
The development and expansion of the role of the radiographer in many European countries is in response to the use of different imaging modalities, the shortage of certain medical personnel (e.g. radiologists) and the raised expectations of the graduate radiographer. However, it would appear that within Europe there is a shortage of radiographic staff and the dilemma arises as to the maintenance of a quality radiographic service with a smaller workforce, the requirement to maintain competence and increased demand from radiographers to specialise. The third theme has as\its objectives:

Develop a forum for the exploration of the work practices of radiographers
Identify the continuing professional development (CPD) requirements of radiographers
Explore the reasons for staff shortages and the way in which the educational provision can address the issue
Top of page

ENVISAGED OUTPUTS
A directory of radiography programmes in Europe and their international exchange opportunities, including ECTS credits. This will be in the form of a printed document in alphabetical order by country detailing the initial qualifying courses in radiography and any post graduate courses and continuing education programmes available in the English language

Creation of a compendium of generic and subject specific competences in line with and under the guidance of the ‘Tuning’ programme allowing for points of reference across radiography degree programmes. Report on competences.
An informative website on Active Learning and Context /Problem Based Learning (C/PBL) in radiographic education
Develop a collaborative e-learning project
A research project identifying chosen subject areas, mode and language of delivery of learning materials to enable development of CPD and learning materials for use across Europe
The HENRE website for communication and information. Consultation regarding the website features will continue as new partners are brought into the network
Top of page

Management Group
The Management Group was set up by the project leader and HENRE members attending the Erasmus Group meeting held in October 2003. In order to encourage all European countries to eventually be involved in the network, the HENRE management group is designed to ensure coverage of the entire European region. Membership consists of partners from Finland, Ireland, Lithuania, Malta and the UK.

Partner Agreement
The partnership agreement formalises the relationship between St Martin's College, UK as the co-ordinating institution and partner institutions. This is sent to the heads of institutions via the HENRE partner member.

Target Groups
These are institutions in Europe engaged in the initial education of radiographers and institutions that provide continuing education and training including practise development in the use of specialist imaging modalities. National Agencies and existing networks. Other non-HE sector institutions in order to develop a wide network of different institutions e.g. Hospitals and Private Associations throughout Europe.

How does the network operate?
Each partner belongs to one of the three subgroups, and will participate in the work of that subgroup through the year (e-mail is the main means of communication). Each subgroup will hold three meetings per year; the whole network membership will meet once a year at a general meeting, where progress made during the previous year will be presented and discussed, and the agenda for the coming year will be set.
Top of page

Annual General Meeting/Conference 2003
This meeting was held in Ambleside UK in October 2003. 22 partner institutes were represented by one or more delegate/s. The conference welcomed members from new partner institutions and new member countries including Estonia, Slovenia, Slovakia and Malta.

Keynote speaker: Niru Kolmannskog, ISRRT Vice President and representative of Africa and Europe and ECRRT chair. The ISRRT is also a partner organisation.
Niru endorsed the benefits of HENRE working with the ECRRT (European Committee of Radiographers and Radiological Technologists); a branch committee of ISRRT, whose aims and objectives for harmonisation of radiography education and opportunities for radiographers in Europe is a shared goal.

The meeting was given subgroup reports of 'work in progress' followed by an open forum across the three subgroups.

Annual General Meeting/Conference, Malta 2004
The main focus was to provide a platform for the 3 subgroups to present their work in progress to all HENRE members and to exchange ideas and information about this work, the future of HENRE and to embrace the requirements of the EC directed Tuning programme. These exchanges were facilitated by open forum discussion a series of workshops and informal networking discussions.
The meeting was kindly opened by Dr S Buttigieg, Director of the Institute of Health Care, University of Malta.

Presentations
EC – HENRE Thematic Network budget and finance
Presented by Mike Stokes, St Martins College, UK

ECTS and their use in the University of Malta
Presented by Ms V Grech, Deputy Registrar, University of Malta

Introduction to TUNING and ECTS
Presented by Heikki Pekkarinen, EC Tuning councillor, Finland

A medical imaging physics elements-of-competence inventory for diagnostic radiography education in Europe: A work in progress
Presented by Carmel J Caruana, Institute of Health Care, University of Malta

Student experiences – programme exchange, ECTS
Ms Danika M Attard, Jonathan L Portelli, Rodnick Vassallo

Following on from the Tuning presentation four ‘Tuning’ themes were explored by all delegates in each of the workshop groups. Feedback was given in the plenary session following the workshops.
Top of page

Four Tuning themes:

Academic Learning and Teaching Terminology
Generic Competences
Subject Specific Competences
European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS)

HENRE –2 The next phase of HENRE
An application has been submitted for further funding for HENRE-2. The objectives of HENRE-2 will be related to the work undertaken so far by the HENRE TN. Four working groups which will undertake a series of activities related to the updating and mapping of the state of art of radiography especially in relation to the rare fields of radiographic expertise and the exploration of how educational patterns and methodologies can be used to further European co-operation with others involved in the delivery and use of ionising and non ionising radiation for the benefit of all patients. The main impact of this project will be on improvement and harmonisation of radiographic teaching via a student-centred education that will hopefully lead to a highly educated and mobile workforce able to deliver a first class diagnostic imaging service throughout Europe.
The themes that have been identified will enable the 4 working groups to identify specific objectives that will be addressed through various activities. These will build on and go beyond the activities undertaken by the HENRE thematic network.

The themes for this project are:

1. Tuning of the generic and subject specific competencies: updating of competences to enable the development of radiographic common curricula within Europe
2. Life long learning and the development of masters programmes: will lead to application for Erasmus Mundus funding
3. Developing synergy between teaching and research and linking with other EU funded networks and others
4. Linking science and society: the importance of radiological protection and the protection of patients and patient information

Read more about HENRE 2

HENRE promotions
Publication of article written by Susanne Huber for ISRRT Newsletter Vol. 39/ 2-2003
Presentations by HENRE members to conference in Giessen, Germany, June 2003
Distribution of HENRE information at European Congress of Radiography(ECR) 2003 and ECRRT Vienna meeting 2003
Presence of HENRE members at ECRRT, Malta 2003
Presentation of paper submitted by Subgroup one at ECR 2004, Vienna.
Presentation by Susanne Huber to German Radiography Lecturers, Offenburg Germany, January 2004
Presentation of papers by all 3 Subgroups at ECR 2005, Vienna.

Future Promotion
Links to Tuning website
HENRE members to attend UKRC, June 2005
HENRE members to attend Euro-med congress for Radiograhy, Malta September 7-11th, 2005
Top of page

This Erasmus Thematic Network is co-financed by the European Commission and is coordinated by St Martins College, UK.