Introduction to HENRE II Subgroups

Subgroup Areas Aims and Objectives

TUNING Subgroup 1 – Tuning Radiography Programmes

HENRE has already identified that there is neither widespread understanding nor recognition of the importance of a University education especially in some central and eastern European countries necessary for the development of health professionals with the skills and specialised knowledge required to meet demands for a first class service across all the EU countries. The result has been 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 development of the Tuning methodology in relation to educational structures in Europe is seen as a timely opportunity for radiography to further develop a pan European generic and subject specific competencies approach to education. The Tuning methodology will assist towards setting up of degree programmes by those countries in which radiography education lies outside the higher education system. HENRE will thus play a central role in describing and updating radiography qualifications making considerable strides in relation to the Bologna agenda.

There will also be a focus on intended learning outcomes (ILOs) at both programme level and module/unit level particularly in relation to a qualifications framework; benchmarks and the notion of educational level, quality standards and the translation of all credit points into European credits (ECTS). Educational benchmarks and standards of competence and proficiency are important markers for all European partners as they are heavily influential in the development of a harmonised European radiography profession. Improved teaching methodologies will enable further exploration of the quality issues concerning the academic curriculum and content and relate strongly to the proposed standards of proficiency for radiographers that are being developed in a number of European countries.

Research, Teaching & Learning Subgroup 2 – Research, Teaching and Learning

The European dimension in the education and training of radiographers will benefit from and be strengthened by encouraging the close co-operation and coordination between the European institutions that presently offer radiographic education. The project will seek to facilitate the sharing of knowledge and communication in Europe between radiographers who are present or future researchers in the radiography field in order to promote the research of radiographers. This will facilitate integration of research into teaching conversant for specialist skills and life long learning providing the impetus for the development of European recognised Masters programmes.

Through institutional partnership expertise, clinical, radiographer employer and national radiography professional organisation links, the project will seek to promote the cooperation of research projects enhancing continuously the evidence for best practice. Accessibility of such developments in the field of radiography will be via the development of an online data-base of former and present radiography PhD and Masters students and others such as associations and clinical institutes involved in present and future research including research carried out within the new framework programme; this will go some way towards overcoming the present isolation of researchers within Europe and contribute positively to the creation of a European Research Area. Synergies created between regional, national and international institutions should strengthen individual universities’ European profiles and increase the likelihood of increased researcher mobility.

Life Long Learning Subgroup 3 – Life Long Learning

In many European countries, a considerable percentage of the education of radiographers takes place in the clinical environment so there are already strong links established as a tripartite arrangement between Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), the clinical departments within public-sector health care establishments and the professional and statutory bodies.
 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.

It has become apparent through links established in several European countries that radiographers are keen to identify ways forward in role development and expansion. 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, for example in diagnostic ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This is an important development for radiography education. The subgroup will encourage life long learning courses for CPD. It will facilitate the development of European recognised Masters programmes and explore the potential for the development of a HENRE CPD endorsement/accreditation system.

Science and Society

The importance of the radiological protection of patients and patient information has long been recognised by the EU and EU directives on radiological protection have been drawn up outlining basic safety standards for the protection of the general public and workers against the dangers of ionising radiation. However, these guidelines are not always in the domain of the general public requiring diagnostic or therapeutic procedures. A competent radiographer involved in the delivery of radiation must be particularly skilled in their ability to minimize the radiation dose and adequately educated and trained to research and communicate the dangers of ionising radiation to their patients. HENRE will aim to link scientific knowledge to society by providing for both educators and students up to date web links on research into radiation effects, analysing current trends and highlighting examples of good practice.

The EU framework programmes 4, 5 and 6 relating to radiological protection are seen as particularly important research links that can be incorporated into teaching. By the integration of research into teaching, good practice and communication of scientific information should be imparted to patients.

Pedagogical and didactical approaches
Pedagogical and didactical approaches and concepts which will be promoted by means of the project.
The following approaches will build on and develop further the radiographic network:

1. Information exchange
2. Identification of good practice
3. Radiographic research

Direct beneficiaries
Direct beneficiaries of the results or those that will implement the outputs from the project, both among and beyond the participating institutions.

The direct beneficiaries will be the institutions, clinical and academic who are involved in the undergraduate and postgraduate education and training of radiographers. In addition, the network will facilitate the individual student radiographers and qualified clinical and educational personnel in exchange programmes. Educational personnel from countries looking to introduce degree programmes will benefit from close partnership with other institutions already providing degree programmes. Undergraduate and graduate students will be benefit from a common credit system (ECTS) allowing mobility between institutions and clinical departments with experience not only of other training and working practises but cultural and linguistic experiences to. Student radiographers will be more informed about radiation protection issues and will be able to communicate on a higher level with patients and other stakeholders. Other personnel working with radiation will be able to see and understand the short and long term benefits, real and potential, from a more informed and competent radiography workforce.