Empirically mapping the subspecialties of cardiovascular-interventional technology.
As the practice of cardiovascular interventional technology (CVIT) has evolved over the last 50 years, so has the role of radiographers employed in this specialty. In 1991, the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) initiated a certification program to recognize radiologic technologists practicing in CVIT. The certification program consisted of a single examination that covered all aspects of CVIT (e.g., neurologic, cardiac, genitourinary). In 2000, the ARRT conducted a study to investigate further the nature of subspecialization occurring within CVIT. A comprehensive job analysis questionnaire was developed that consisted of 137 clinical activities organized into 19 general domains of practice. The questionnaire was completed by a national sample of 848 radiologic technologists working in CVIT, who indicated the frequency with which they performed each of the 137 activities. Responses were subjected to cluster analysis to classify technologists into homogeneous groups corresponding to different CVIT subspecialties. Results indicated that CVIT consists of two major subspecialties: one corresponding to cardiac procedures and one corresponding to procedures involving organ systems other than the heart. Other smaller subspecialties also emerged from the cluster analysis. A multidimensional scaling of the profiles suggested that CVIT subspecialization can be explained by two dimensions: (1) whether the procedures are diagnostic or interventional and (2) the type of organ system involved. The findings are discussed in terms of their implications for education, certification, and performance evaluation.
Raymond
Mark R
MR
Psychometric Services, American Registry of Radiologic Technologists, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA. mark.raymond@arrt.org
Williams
Charles O
CO
D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D006801:Humans; D008511:Medicine / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015641:Radiography, Interventional; D013038:Specialization; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States