Article Comparison of Trade Magazine and Professional Journal Ali Fitzpatrick

Part 1: Trade Magazine Article Trade publications can be found in a variety of settings for broad audiences.1 They are typically written using an informal style and feature stories that appeal to many people. The trade publication titled, Looking for PET/MRs Role by David Yeager was written for the Radiology Today Magazine. The article explores the possibilities for a PET/MR scanner in a clinical setting for several different departments.2 After a comprehensive summary, the usefulness of the article will be determined by exploring its strengths and weaknesses as a trade publication. The accuracy of the publication will also be discussed along with any lingering questions the article may present to its audience. The article, Looking for PET/MRs Role, began by describing the different manufacturers that provide both a PET and MR scan either simultaneously or one directly after the other. Each system had advantages, but companies are still working on providing the most efficient way to scan a patient in the shortest amount of time with the least amount of inconvenience. Indications for the use of a PET/MR machine can vary widely, and is most commonly used in Oncology, Cardiac Imaging and Neurodegenerative Imaging. One of the greatest concerns is a lack of protocol for imaging with this new equipment. Reimbursement criteria for hospitals and clinics are constantly changing, and without a specially designed protocol, reimbursement for the PET/MR may be denied by many insurance companies. It is of urgent importance that physicians realize what PET/MR imaging can do for their patients and how it is best utilized in their departments. The article by David Yeager appeals to a wide variety of people, including people in diagnostic imaging and radiation therapy planning. Specifically, this article could apply to a medical dosimetry department that needs to fuse images to create a more accurate treatment plan for a patient. If the patient has a PET/MR scan that needs to be fused with the planning CT scan, the quality of the PET/MR scan can make a big difference in the fusion. If the patient is in the same position for the PET and MR, it may make the fusion of the images much easier for the dosimetrist. The less time the patient is on the table for the scans, the less movement there will

be and the images that are produced will have better quality for the physician to use for the contours. There are several things that the author did well while writing this article. First, I think he did a good job of drawing in his readers by providing them with necessary background information on the evolution of PET/MR scanners. It is important that readers have an adequate history of the imaging technique before they are able to understand why it is important. I also think that Yeager kept his readers interested by explaining how PET/MR imaging is important for several different modalities and departments. A wide target audience was engaged in the article to see how this technology could possibly affect them in the future. Finally, addressing reimbursement for the imaging study was very important. Every clinic and hospital is very conscious about the cost to themselves as well as the patient, and the topic must be confronted before a new technology can be introduced. The article by Yeager did a great job of advocating for the use of PET/MR in several departments. However, the article did not address the disadvantages of the scans, or the implications it could have if it is over-used. Although PET/MR does not expose the patient to as much radiation as a CT scan, the patient is still receiving a significant amount of dose from the injected isotope. The article is almost written in a way that makes the use of PET/MR more preferable than a CT scan. It is important to remember that these scans are used to image different things, and that one cannot replace the other. The article was published in a trade magazine, and therefore, is not required to fully explain or explore possible disadvantages to the new technology. The article provided a general overview of PET/MR scan technology and how it could be used in the future with a variety of departments in a clinic or hospital. This technology could be beneficial to medical dosimetrists and radiation oncologists when fusing a CT scan with other imaging modalities. The article engaged readers by providing adequate background information and examples of possible uses in the future, but failed to recognize disadvantages of adopting this new imaging modality. Overall, I think this article did a good job of reaching out to a wide audience, but lacked in providing coverage of the entire topic.

References: 1. Lenards N, Weege M. Radiation Therapy and Medical Dosimetry Reading. [Powerpoint]. LaCrosse, WI: UW-L Medical Dosimetry Program; 2012. 2. Yeager D. Looking for PET/MRs role. Radiology Today. 2013;14(12):20-23. http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/21d658a3#/b8a9a42a/20. Published September 2013. Accessed February 18, 2014.

Part II: Peer Reviewed Research Article A peer reviewed research article in a professional journal differs from a trade publication in that the research article has a more narrow target audience and is more formally written using a variety of resources from other journals and statistical studies.1 Peers from the articles main target audience, most commonly from the same professional field, are also required to review the article before publication. The article chosen for this activity was written by Ronnie Garza Lozano and is titled, Characterizing a Culture of Training and Safety: A Qualitative Case Study in Radiation Oncology. This article was taken from Radiation Therapist, a journal published by the American Society of Radiologic Technology (ASRT). The hypothesis, literature review, research design, results and conclusion of the research presented in the article will be reviewed, and a reflection including my impressions of the article will be included. Training and safety within a radiation oncology department is extremely important to assure quality treatment for patients.2 Every person within the department needs to be included in safety and quality training. The purpose of the research conducted by Lozano was to explore how a radiation oncology infrastructure, information, communication, values and philosophy of care contribute to the creation of comprehensive patient safety. It is hypothesized that the greater amount of communication and exchange of knowledge and information between co-workers is extremely important in patient care. Lozano was able to create his hypothesis by researching literature about radiation oncology safety. Reports that included the frequency of safety incidents, contributing factors and root causes were explored and analyzed. He also cited specific recommendations from the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) safety meeting held in 2010. Sources that explored environments in which professionals openly supported error prevention and reporting were reviewed as well. Specifically, cultures of safety among institutions were explored. The research design was a qualitative case study. Multiple perspectives were gained by using a variety of levels of professionals within the radiation oncology organization that included seven facilities. Participants chosen for the study had certain criteria that needed to be met including active involvement with treatment planning or delivery, at least three years full-time experience, and regular contact with radiation therapists. A role as a radiation therapist,

dosimetrist, physicist, radiation oncologist or administrator was also required. Data collection included one-on-one interviews, focus-groups, field observations and a review of documents. After data collection, it was obvious to the researcher that errors occurred because of a communication failure. Communication among the seven radiation oncology facilities was mainly conducted through electronic medical records systems. Although this mode of electronic communication can be convenient at times, it is important that every person in the care of the patient fully understands what their electronic signature implies. A treatment plan goes through a series of checks and double checks, and it is vital that the therapists understand everything about the plan before they sign off and treat the patient. Communication in the form of peer teaching and feedback is also important. Honesty is vital when teaching a new employee, and must be approached on a patient to patient basis, with the understanding that each patient case is different. Cross training between professionals is also seen to improve a persons understanding of the department as a whole, and will decrease errors and mistakes. Overall, values and beliefs will contribute to a culture of safety. It is important that a climate of open communication is encouraged in each facility by every professional. This study completed a variety of background research that included the causes of errors within a radiation oncology department and did a sufficient job of exploring how open communication among staff could decrease errors. Although there are no specific results involving a decrease in the number of errors, it was obvious that staff satisfaction and their level of comfort treating each patient increased with open communication among the department. The article, Characterizing a Culture of Training and Safety: A Qualitative Case Study, was a very good example of a peer-reviewed research article to analyze. It clearly stated the background, purpose, methods, results and conclusion, and included the possible limitations of the study. Most of the references used were published within the last three years, which leads me to believe that the research conducted was valid and current. Unlike a trade magazine article, this article addressed all aspects of the research and even included suggestions for future research. I would feel comfortable using this article as a future reference for myself or fellow students.

References: 1. Lenards N, Weege M. Radiation Therapy and Medical Dosimetry Reading. [Powerpoint]. LaCrosse, WI: UW-L Medical Dosimetry Program; 2012.

2.

Lozano RG. Characterizing a Culture of Training and Safety: A Qualitative Case Study in Radiation Oncology. Radiation Therapist. 2012;22(2):139-153. http://media.asrt.org/emag/RTT_Vol22_No2/index.html#/36/. Published Fall, 2013. Accessed February 18, 2014.