The role of health economics in optimising patient care in medical radiation clinical settings is of increasing importance in ensuring efficient and effective service delivery. This commentary introduces health economics to medical radiation professionals by outlining the main analysis types utilised, highlighted by examples in the literature. The purpose is to provide an over-arching framework for incorporating health economics into research study protocols.

This systematic review aims to synthesise literature regarding the effect of RT-led psychosocial support on patient anxiety. We searched Medline, PsycINFO, Embase, CINAHL, PubMed and Cochrane library and identified 263 articles. In conclusion, RTs have a role in psychosocial support through increased communication and information sharing which can reduce patient anxiety.

A new initiative has been implemented at the Sunshine Hospital Radiation Therapy Centre to provide a calming and comforting environment for patients attending radiation therapy treatment. As part of this initiative, the department's CT room and radiation therapy bunkers were designed to incorporate ceiling art that replicates a number of different visual scenes.

In this article, we describe the communication skills workshops developed for radiation therapists and evaluate participants’ feedback. Sixty radiation therapists participated in two communication skills workshops: (1) Consultation skills in radiation therapy and (2) Eliciting and responding to patients’ emotional cues. Positive feedback was received for both workshops.

Development of a new referral pathway where patients are referred directly to an Advanced Practice Palliative Radiation Therapist. Reduced time for palliative patients to receive radiotherapy from referral to treatment. Improved access to palliative radiotherapy for referrers. Outcomes comparable to national and international Rapid Response Palliative Clinics.

The centralised model developed to support for trainee chest X-ray reporting radiographers provides effective learning in an efficient way. The model is readily transferable to other body areas and healthcare settings.

This commentary describes the operational changes made by the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre's Radiation Therapy Services during the initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Changes to clinical operations, to ensure optimal patient and staff safety and wellbeing, whilst maintaining a high- quality clinical service, are detailed.

Guidelines suggest that a local radiation benchmark or Diagnostic reference level (DRL) be created for interventional cardiology procedures. Radiation dose data were collected from all public hospitals in Queensland for diagnostic coronary angiograms and single-vessel intervention. 2590 patients were included in the CA group where the median dose area product (P_KA) = 3908 uGym², DRL = 5865 uGym². 947 patients were included in the intervention group where median = 8736 uGym², DRL = 12,900 uGym². This created a benchmark for radiation dose for coronary procedures in Queensland, Australia.

The project aimed to improve image quality through more suitable education and support of X-ray operators by the introduction of video conference (VC) supervision. A 6-month pilot project was used to compare image quality with and without VC supervision of the examination as it was being performed. The project demonstrated significant improvement in image quality is achievable with VC supervision.