Student Corner

by David Poon, Chair, CSRT Student Committee

As a student in a radiology program, I can personally attest to how demanding a Diagnostic Medical Imaging (DMI) Program can be. Students are given didactic and clinical education every week and we prepare for these classes with the expectation of providing quality patient care. However, being a patient advocate does not stop in the classroom or in a clinical setting. As student, we must be a part of our professional society and become dedicated to improving our skills in patient care.

Just recently, for example, California assembly bills AB 356 (Fletcher) and AB 445 (Salas) would allow Physician Assistants (PAs) and/or Nurse Practitioners (NPs) to operate potentially dangerous x-ray equipment, such as operating a C-arm, with only forty hours (40 hours) of fluoroscopy education. AB 356 is working its way through the legislature in Sacramento. AB 455 has been withdrawn for this year. This means that these bills are another step closer to becoming law in California. If this happens, it will not only impact Californians but will also impact the nation, as other states look to California as the leader in this arena.

In addition to the State legislation, there is national legislation which has already impacted the diagnostic medical imaging community. For instance, we are already seeing the devastating effects of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, which reduces the payment for diagnostic imaging by capping some CPT codes that were higher than hospital outpatient rates, and freezing CPT codes already lower than hospital outpatient rates. The result is that imaging centers aren't being paid for normal routine exams that patients in the past could rely on. A further result of this act is that imaging centers will ultimately lose money, and may need to close down, while turning away patients that badly need imaging services. As future technologists, this could eliminate a potential facility we would like to work for.

As students, we CAN make a difference in a number of ways: 1) we can send individual letters in opposition to state and national legislation; 2) we can inform the California State Assembly and Congress that we Californians deserve more and that patients deserve appropriately educated medical personnel. When there is a lack of involvement, this is a potential outcome. These bills can affect the quality of patient care. This is why your involvement is so critical! We need you to advocate for those standards and assist in getting the proper legislation approved.

It is imperative that students become involved with their state and national professional associates. Registered technologists cannot do this alone! We students are the future of Diagnostic Medical Imaging and we must work together to ensure patient care remains optimal in the State of California, as well as nationwide.

I strongly encourage you to join the California Society of Radiologic Technologists. Student membership is only $30 per year! This is less than .09 cents a day! Join me and other students in Radiology Programs across California becoming informed on legislative issues that pertain to Radiologic Technology. Together, we can be strong patient advocates and let Sacramento know that we want quality healthcare for Californians!