Radiographer education, research, and practice (RERP) : 2021-2031

Abstract

The role of the European Federation of Radiographer Societies (EFRS) is: “to represent, promote and develop the profession of radiography in Europe, within the whole range of medical imaging, nuclear medicine, and radiotherapy and moreover everything that is directly or indirectly related or beneficial to this role, everything in the broadest meaning”. The Federation currently represents over 105,000 Radiographers from 45 European Societies and over 8,500 student radiographers from 66 Educational Institutions from across Europe. As part of the strategic plan for 2019-2021, the EFRS Executive Board prioritised a programme of work to research and explore the future role and requirements for the profession over the next 10-15 years, recognising the rapidly changing nature of medical imaging, nuclear medicine, and radiotherapy services; the goal being to publish a White Paper with a set of consensus statements, in order to support the development of the profession across Europe. To achieve this goal, the EFRS executive board commissioned an external consultant to lead the work with a small project team. A Delphi research methodology was selected initially and, to ensure expert perspectives into the work, an invitation was extended to a select international group of radiography experts, from across the breadth of practice of the profession.