Guidelines and recommendations for radiographer education from the EU-REST project

Advancements in medical imaging, nuclear medicine, and radiotherapy have significantly improved patient care, while also requiring responsive education and training programmes and continuing professional development (CPD) for radiographers who work across medical imaging, nuclear medicine, and radiotherapy. This article presents findings from the EU-REST (European Union Radiation, Education, Staffing and Training) project with a focus on the evaluation of education and training requirements for radiographers across EU Member States. Evidence-based guidelines to harmonise radiographer education and training and improve safety and quality in medical settings are proposed. The findings highlight the need for standardised, competency-based curricula that align with evolving technologies, safety regulations, and professional responsibilities, together with the importance of integrating radiation safety, quality management, and patient-centred care into curricula. To address accessibility and workforce needs, diverse entry pathways, flexible learning models, and equitable financial support for student radiographers are recommended. Harmonisation of training content, structured clinical placements, and mandatory CPD are also proposed to ensure radiographers remain proficient in emerging technologies such as AI and automation. The findings also underscore the necessity of national accreditation, certification, and licensing systems to maintain high professional standards. Establishing a unified core curriculum at the European level would enhance education quality and ensure compliance with the basic safety standards directive (BSSD). Additionally, postgraduate training opportunities should be expanded to support specialisation and career advancement. By adopting these recommendations, the radiographer profession can cultivate a highly skilled workforce capable of delivering safe, effective, and innovative patient care, ensuring alignment with the future demands of healthcare and technological progress. CRITICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: The radiographer education and training recommendations developed by the EU-REST project propose a framework to ensure a highly skilled radiographer workforce capable of delivering safe, effective, and innovative patient care, ensuring alignment with the future demands of healthcare and technological progress. KEY POINTS: The EU-REST project explored the education and training requirements for radiographers across the EU with a focus on patient safety and quality. The development of standardised education and training guidelines for radiographers is essential to ensuring a highly skilled, safe, and effective workforce. These recommendations will support the development of competent, adaptable, and research-driven professionals who contribute to the advancement of patient care.