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Introduction: Optimising radiographer and radiologist skill-mix is essential to increase efficiency and ensure quality patient care and safety in radiology services. Radiographer reporting, well established within the UK, has been legally and legitimately identified within the scope of radiographer practice for many years. Little research however has focused on perceptions and experiences of practitioners as they journey towards advanced practice in skeletal trauma reporting., Methods: A two-phase qualitative approach, utilising Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), included a homogenous group of radiographer practitioners (n = 12). Phase 1 thematically analysed personal reflective diaries. Phase 2 included one-one, semi-structured interviews which were recorded, transcribed verbatim and reviewed using the IPA six stage thematic analysis., Results: Three super-ordinate themes emerged. This paper reflects the IPA generated from Super-ordinate Theme 3; Review upon and action for the role. Participants had reached destination and beyond with a focus on development of role, self and others. As reporting became firmly embedded, there was increased acceptance, educational development and positive impact on service. Reflections indicated motivation, drive, commitment, increased confidence and self-esteem CONCLUSION: This study provides an insight in to the participant journey towards advanced practice and skeletal trauma reporting in Scotland as participants reached destination and beyond., Implications for Practice: Developments within the NHS continue to rapidly evolve and diagnostic imaging, with advancing technology, practice and changing policies, continues to remain in a constant state of change. Continued support and investment for role development, framed within a culture of effective teamworking, positive engagement and professional respect is essential., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest statement None, (Copyright © 2019 The College of Radiographers. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Qualitative research approaches have potential to provide unique and valuable insights intoperceptions, experiences and behaviours. Reports however indicate that papers often fail to sufficiently detail the underlying principles that explain the philosophical assumptions and ontological, epistemological and methodological perspectives. Primarily directed towards radiographers considering a qualitative approach for doctoral research, this paper will also be informative for other health and social care practitioners., Method: Part 1 discusses research principles broadly and how philosophical assumptions can be used for selection of the approach and methodology to explore a particular topic. Part 2 provides a worked example applied in context for a qualitative approach utilising Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), that explored perceptions and experiences of lived experiences of radiographers on a journey to advanced practice in skeletal trauma reporting., Results: The paper identifies the need for understanding of the theory and application of research principles broadly. Explanation and justification of choice is expected for the selection of research approach, paradigm, philosophical underpinning, underlying assumptions and methodology, to best answer the research question and inform participant selection, data collection, data analysis and interpretation methods CONCLUSION: Coherent research requires synthesis of ontology, epistemology and methodology with the choice of research design based on the most appropriate approach. Qualitative research has greatly enhanced its reputation for methodological rigour and the uptake of IPA is increasing within health and social care., Implications for Practice: Future research within the Interpretative paradigm, utilising IPA as a methodology has potential to expand the body of evidence for Radiography research., (Copyright © 2019 The College of Radiographers. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Increased demand for diagnostic imaging and professional body directives have resulted in radiographer reporting which requires postgraduate education due to the associated high degree of autonomy and complex decision making. Little research has focused on the transition from practitioner to the skeletal trauma reporting role., Methods: Two-phase, qualitative research using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) explored perceptions and experiences. Phase 2, one-one, semi-structured interviews (n = 6) were recorded, transcribed verbatim and reviewed using the IPA six stage thematic analysis, generating three super-ordinate themes. Researcher reflexivity, ethics and quality assessment were considered., Results: This paper reflects the IPA generated from Super-ordinate Theme 2; Exposure to the reporting role. Participant reflections indicated positive opinion with agreement that combining the reporting role with the diagnostic radiographer role enhanced practice and increased job satisfaction. Potential for stress associated with increased responsibility and accountability was described but there was recognition that skeletal trauma reporting was what they had chosen and been educated to do., Conclusion: The interpretative approach and IPA for Super-ordinate Theme 2, fills a gap in existing knowledge, providing a unique and valuable insight into perceptions and experiences of practitioners as they became exposed to the skeletal reporting role., Implications for Practice: Participants were on their journey to advanced practice with plans to further develop their role. Excellent clinical practice had been demonstrated as well as facilitating learning with others. If there is expectation to achieve all domains associated with advanced practitioner status then time, commitment and support is essential from employers and management., (Copyright © 2019 The College of Radiographers. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: The paper, derived from a professional doctorate thesis explored the perceptions and experiences of diagnostic radiographers who had acquired a post graduate qualification affording them the opportunity to report skeletal trauma images., Methods: A qualitative approach was deemed appropriate to answer the research question and Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was selected as the research methodology. The two-phase qualitative research study included a homogenous group of radiographer practitioners (n = 12). Phase 1 thematically analysed personal reflective diaries completed during final year of study. Phase 2 included one-one, semi-structured interviews which were recorded, transcribed verbatim and reviewed using the IPA six stage thematic analysis. Researcher reflexivity was employed as were issues of ethics, permission and quality assessment., Results: Reflective diary themes informed focus for one-one, semi-structured interviews. IPA of interview transcripts identified three superordinate themes: Preparation for the role; Exposure to the role; Review upon and action for the role. Subsumed within the three superordinate themes were twelve subthemes. The Results section for this paper reflects the IPA generated from Super-ordinate Theme 1., Conclusion: This study provides an insight in to the radiographer educational journey towards advanced practice and skeletal trauma reporting in Scotland. IPA identified a range of emotions, personal and professional commitment. Degrees of positivity were reported but perception and experience also identified stress and challenge. Mixed attitudes and a culture of resistance impacted on the lived experience of preparation for the role. This created potential to adversely affect practitioner development and requires ongoing attention from key stakeholders., (Copyright © 2019 The College of Radiographers. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)