Two new elearning sessions have been developed to support the clinical imaging workforce to navigate the delivery of safe, effective, and equitable healthcare to the UK’s gender diverse population. Lynda Johnson, Professional Officer for Clinical Imaging and Radiation Protection, The Society and College of Radiographers (SoR), provides an overview of the sessions:

Since the SoR published Inclusive pregnancy status guidelines for ionising radiation: Diagnostic and therapeutic exposures in 2021, there has been an increase in the number of organisations actively seeking gender inclusive education and training for staff.

To support this work, and in recognition of the fact that inclusive practice is a matter for the wider workforce, the SoR produced a freely accessible dedicated webpage of resources. The opportunity to develop these two elearning sessions is a valuable and effective addition to promote and provide the most accessible learning materials to the whole clinical imaging workforce.

UK society reflects an array of gender diversities¹. The modern clinical imaging workforce must strive to deliver services that do not make assumptions about gender and train staff to recognise people as individuals. Gender identity might be a sensitive and personal matter for staff and patients. Health and care professionals are required to display conduct that is non-discriminatory, and they must not allow personal views to affect their relationships with others or the care they provide^2,3,4. How we steer our way through these complexities is determined by what we understand to be true. Gender diversity is a topic that seems to fascinate the British media, but sensationalised news stories are perhaps not the best source of truth.

The new elearning sessions, developed by experts with experience, lead the reader through the importance of respectful language and behaviours, respectful terminology, and the practical considerations of using the inclusive pregnancy checking forms and complying with the requirements of The Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2017⁵ (2018 NI)⁶. The structured approach across two linked sessions is designed to give learners a deeper understanding of gender inequalities in healthcare and provides the tools and confidence to apply a more inclusive approach to care. The sessions can be accessed from a safe environment of choice and offer readers the time to assess their knowledge and reflect on valuable learning about this important topic.

Access the training:

The two new sessions can be accessed via the Clinical Imaging elearning programme.

References:

1. Gender identity, England and Wales: Census 2021
2. https://www.hcpc-uk.org/standards/standards-of-conduct-performance-and-ethics/
3. https://www.hcpc-uk.org/standards/standards-of-proficiency/radiographers/
4. https://www.gmc-uk.org/-/media/documents/good-medical-practice—english-20200128_pdf-51527435.pdf
5. The Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2017 (legislation.gov.uk)
6. The Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2018 (legislation.gov.uk)