Radiographer managers and service development: A Delphi study to determine an MRI service portfolio for year 2020

• A Delphi study was successfully used to forecast MRI service portfolio for year 2020.
• The service portfolio determines the competences required by radiographers.
• The service portfolio has helped in decision making to introduce waiting list initiatives.
• Protocols addressing specific clinical questions were highlighted by the expert group.
• If education for non-MD professionals becomes broader they could request MRI scans.

PurposeAs high quality CPD courses become increasingly expensive and time off for radiographers progressively limited, it is important that CPD content be aligned to forecasted service portfolio development. When such a portfolio has not been developed locally the CPD planner should carry out an own forecasting exercise. The purpose of the study was to develop a 2020 MRI service portfolio using a Delphi study.Methods and materialsMRI stakeholder experts participated in a first Delphi round based on semi-structured interviews. The interviews were analysed thematically leading to a series of statements for a second Delphi round. Level of agreement was assessed as the median value on a 6 point Likert scale ranging from 1 (complete disagreement) to 6 (complete agreement), the level of consensus was assessed using the interquartile range (IQR). Consensus was defined as IQR ≤ 1.ResultsVery strong agreement and consensus (median 6, IQR ≤ 1) was obtained for maintaining current service catalogue and introduction of breast biopsies, cardiac studies, ISO standards, referral guidelines, and departmental policies aligned to EU regulations. Strong agreement and consensus (median 5, IQR ≤ 1) was obtained for introduction of tumour assessment, tractography, elastography, enterography. The level of consensus was low (IQR ≥ 1) regarding research, 3T MRI, outsourcing, prostate screening and certification for MRI referral privileges.ConclusionThe multi stakeholder approach adopted ensured that the proposed service portfolio would be suitable for local healthcare needs. Although the methodology has been applied to MRI it could easily be adapted to any imaging modality.