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Introduction To offer citizens with frailty or dementia living in nursing homes or other institutions a less stressful and anxious X-ray examination, a Danish hospital offers to perform the examination in the citizen's residence. This has changed the working procedure for the radiographers performing the examination. The aim of this study was to explore if the radiographers self-perceived competencies have changed whilst working in the mobile X-ray unit and if so, how these competencies are utilised within the department-based medical imaging team. Method This study had a qualitative design following a hermeneutic approach. Individual semi structured interviews included nine radiographers, four radiographers working in the mobile X-ray unit and five radiographers working exclusively in the medical imaging team. Results Radiographers who worked in the mobile X-ray unit did acquire new competencies such as better communication and creative positioning skills. All nine participants recognised the advantage of sharing experiences and competencies with colleagues, and recommended a formal forum to do so. They sought opportunities for the use of the mobile X-ray unit to be more widespread within their own region, and within the profession. Conclusion This study indicates that radiographers working with mobile X-ray unit gained new competencies in communication and positioning, but without spread of new knowledge to colleagues in the medical imaging team. Implication for practice The use of home-based mobile X-ray is a new way to provide health care services and gain new competencies for the radiographers to focus on patient centred care.

Excellent clinical results can be obtained with non-operative treatment of humeral shaft fractures. In certain patients, operative stabilization is the treatment of choice. This study was initiated to determine the results of non-operative treatment in relation to multiple fractures and being overweight. From 1985 to 1992 we treated 35 humeral shaft fractures in 34 patients by non-operative methods. The median age was 51 (18–84) years. There were 12 women and 22 men. Nine were in overweight patients and 11 were in patients with multiple fractures. Fractures in overweight patients were followed for 158 (60–597) days and the Neer score was 61 (50–72) points. Patients with multiple fractures were followed for 178 (52–970) days and the Neer score was 72 (38–96) points. Single fractures in non-overweight patients were followed for 70 (35–412) days and the Neer score was 94 (65–100) points. These results show that humeral shaft fractures in certain patients may best be treated by operative stabilization.