My First Conference - IAFR Annual Conference 2014

A look into the pack we were given today at the conference.

Stardate: 92305.32

Prepare for a long post...

I have to admit it, I am knackered. Due to a 5.20AM start to get a train at 6.34AM to Middlesbrough, and getting home at 7.40PM, I have had one heck of a long day, but I think it has definitely been worth my time. I don't know many undergrad students who attend conferences, but I certainly think that we should. I met so many new people, gained a lot of information from qualified radiographers, their views and advice, and I also learnt a good deal about the new and upcoming future developments in radiography (mainly forensic imaging). It's definitely motivated me to attend more conferences in the future! 

The morning started with a talk from Her Majesty's Senior Coroner in Sunderland, Derek Winter, who spoke about the role of a coroner and the role of post-mortem CT. For those of you who are unsure, a coroner is an independent judicial office holder appointed by a local authority, that investigates deaths that have been reported to them, if they have reason to suspect the death was violent or unnatural, has an unknown cause, or the deceased died in prison, police custody or another type of state detention (Ministry of Justice, 2013). His presentation explained that CT imaging is considered to be one possible way to reduce the number of autopsies in Britain, which is 2-3 times the rate of comparable countries. Post-mortem CT (PMCT) is also more cost-effective than an autopsy, but is a developing field, and has certain limitations. Certain faith groups are keen to avoid autopsy, as are bereaving families, in these cases CT virtual autopsies would be favourable.

Our next talk was then on Multi-Phase Post-mortem CT Angiography, which has been a major research project at the University Centre of Legal Medicine in Lausanne-Geneva. This presentation informed us of courses available to radiographers, as well as the current developments and benefits of MPMCT Angiography. In Lausanne, the forensic radiographers carry out examinations and cases themselves, including incisions and cannulations, which usually requires training, but gives these radiographers more autonomy in their practice.

After a well-needed coffee break (I was beginning to nod off from being tired!), the subject turned to Non-Accidental Injury and Physical Abuse cases in children. I had the chance to actually meet one of the speakers (Dr. Amaka C Offiah) prior to her talk, as I took the same train as her from Darlington to Middlesbrough, and we also shared a taxi. A national expert in radiological research into child abuse, and the first woman to be appointed as the Royal College of Radiology Roentgen Professor, she is well-known within her field and her talk was excellent and incredibly informative about the pitfalls in radiological diagnosis of physical abuse in children. Her presentation highlighted many key areas within this subject, and how to avoid future issues from arising within departments.

Our final talk was on ballistics, which highlighted and identified different bullet types, gun 'anatomy', trajectory and basic witness statements on forensic radiography ballistics. It was quite an interactive and entertaining way to end the day!

The members of the IAFR (International Association of Forensic Radiographers) were all very welcoming, and happy to answer questions, and I also got to speak to a few recent graduates of the Masters course at Teeside.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed my day, gained a CPD (Continuing Professional Development) certificate, and got to speak to the Forensic Radiography Masters course co-ordinator, who re-assured me about the content, and applications process.

For anyone interested, I've posted a link to the IAFR website for you to have a look at :3

An added bonus: I even managed to watch Doctor Who without nodding off. So now, I'm off to read my Stephen King book until I fall asleep! I'm too tired to pay attention to 'Once Upon a Time' tonight...

LLAP guys! Told you it would be long....

The IAFR website: http://afr.org.uk/

Through the Looking Glass: A Patient's Perspective

A phrase that makes hospital stays a little more hopeful.

Stardate: 92288.3

I've noticed that in all the posts I write, they're all from the imaging department's perspective, and none helping to understand how a patient really feels when in hospital, either as an outpatient or an inpatient. Let me tell you, after working in a hospital myself, it felt incredibly strange being a patient, as you do absolutely nothing! Resisting the urge to ask staff if they needed help felt lazy and weird!  So, I decided that I would just  give you all an insight into what it's like to be a patient, rather than a healthcare professional.

Recently, and a few times in my youth, I've felt first-hand what it feels like being a patient. To cut it short, I randomly collapsed one morning while running (and they say it's supposed to be good for you), and after waiting for 6 hours in A&E, was admitted, and even then, I wasn't sure whether I was staying overnight or going home. 

I had my blood pressure taken a good total of 8 times in those first 6 hours, a blood test done, and initial assessments from both a nurse and a doctor; all the while I was still wearing my muddy running clothes, and in desperate need of a shower... no-one gets up to go running and expects to be rushed to hospital! I was then taken to the second hospital, where I was to stay overnight for observation on the cardiology ward, due to the unknown cause of my collapse. Here is where I say, I wasn't told a single thing about why I was being admitted, until another doctor did another assessment, then told me why I was staying... at nearly 10 o'clock in the evening, almost 12 hours since I'd first gotten into an ambulance! Talk about speedy...

Staying overnight is difficult, and slightly scary, especially on a cardiology ward, as everyone is hooked up to a heart monitor, so there's machinery constantly beeping through the night (I still have sticker marks on my skin even now). Nurses wake you up at 6AM (more blood pressure readings), and the doctors do their rounds around 8AM, so you have the rest of the day to fill with TV or reading. The hardest part, is all the waiting you have to do, and that you're mostly alone. I believe the best part of a patient's day is visiting hours. And that can be tough if no-one is actually visiting you. Well, you're not called a patient for nothing... 

I'd been told I was in need of two examinations: an echocardiogram and an exercise test. This was to rule out the possibility of Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, a condition that affects my younger brother. Sunday and Monday were spent being visited by my very good friends and my boyfriend's mother, all the while my mother sent me texts constantly, trying to find out if I'd escaped.

After a truly difficult exercise test (which I aced at an above average athletic level), and a quite relaxed echocardiogram, (where you get given a chest ultrasound while being hugged), I was deemed fit and healthy, and sent home!

For me, it was just a long waiting game, to eventually be told after 3 days there was nothing they could find that was wrong. But it's a lonely ordeal, and you're not always told what's exactly going on, or when you're going home... which is why I may or may not have peeked at my notes... shhh. Overall, I learnt (but already knew) that patients go through quite a lot... so always be that person who gives them a smile and talk to them. You never know, it might just make their day :3

Only one more day until I get up at 5AM to get the train to my conference!

LLAP guys!