City Research Online

Abstract

Radiographers play a central role within clinical imaging and radiotherapy teams, acting as a key interface between patients and increasingly complex technologies. As healthcare systems evolve, their scope of practice is expanding alongside advances in digital workflows, artificial intelligence (AI) and new models of care. This EuroAIM/EFRS survey provides a comprehensive European overview of radiographers’ roles, professional autonomy, research engagement and perspectives on AI. Based on responses from 1548 radiographers across multiple countries, the findings highlight substantial clinical autonomy and strong responsibility for image quality optimisation and radiation protection, alongside limited but growing involvement in research activities. More than half of the participants expressed interest in greater research participation, indicating a gap between current opportunities and professional aspirations. Responses regarding AI were generally positive, with many participants expecting it to enhance their professional roles, although expectations regarding its workforce impact remained heterogeneous. The survey also confirms the lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on professional practice and highlights variability in perceived career development opportunities. These findings describe a profession in transition, characterised by increasing responsibilities and technological integration and underscore the need for continued investment in education, structured career frameworks and research capacity to support radiographers in an increasingly complex healthcare environment.

Key Points

Question

What are radiographers’ current roles, autonomy, research engagement and perspectives on emerging technologies within a changing imaging and radiotherapy workforce?

Findings

In 1548 participants, radiographers reported substantial autonomy and responsibility, limited research involvement, positive but heterogeneous AI expectations and variable career opportunities.

Critical Relevance Statement

This EuroAIM/EFRS survey informs radiology practice by identifying radiographers’ professional development, education and research needs and by supporting structured career frameworks and interprofessional workforce planning.

Publication Type:	Article
Additional Information:	© The Author(s) 2026. This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if changes were made. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article's Creative Commons licence, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article's Creative Commons licence and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.
Publisher Keywords:	Artificial intelligence, Professional role, Technology, Radiographer, Surveys and questionnaires
Subjects:	Q Science > QA Mathematics > QA75 Electronic computers. Computer science R Medicine > RC Internal medicine
Departments:	School of Health & Medical Sciences School of Health & Medical Sciences > Department of Allied Health
SWORD Depositor:	Symplectic Administrator

Export

Downloads