Is Radiography Ready for More Assistant Practitioners? A Qualitative Case Study Approach to Examine the Contemporary Role in Diagnostic Imaging Services

Introduction: The assistant practitioner (AP) role was introduced into the United Kingdom radiography profession to grow diagnostic imaging capacity and enable radiographers to take on more complex tasks. Despite limited evaluation into the utilization and impact of the role, recent national workforce strategies have called for further expansion of AP numbers. Purpose: To examine the contemporary status of the AP within imaging departments, identifying how and why roles have been established, the benefits and challenges of their deployment and potential for further expansion of this workforce group. Methods: Forming part of a wider mixed methods explanatory study, this qualitative research utilized a case study approach. The individual cases represented nine geographically diverse English NHS imaging departments. Data collection took place during single day visits and comprised multiple interviews and focus groups including APs (n = 30) and service leads (n = 34) together with collation of AP specific role documents. Within and across case analysis was undertaken. Results: The assistant practice level expands the healthcare workforce and increases clinical capacity. Whilst some imaging services have embraced the role, others are reticent. The reasons appear multifactorial including an unclear scope of practice, lack of standardized education pathway or curriculum and limited career progression opportunities. Conclusion: Twenty-five years after its inception in the radiography professional landscape, the AP role is embedded in imaging departments, but not at the scale originally envisaged. There remains a clear potential to utilize the AP workforce to expand capacity in the diagnostic imaging sector. Keywords: assistant practitioner, radiography, diagnostic imaging, allied health, skill mix, apprenticeship