Technigram Exclusive Interview

by Mike Enriquez, MPA, BSRT (R)(CT), Technigram Editor

Earlier this past spring, Technigram Editor, Mike Enriquez, had the opportunity to interview Ms. Marilyn Sackett, President/CEO of the Allied Health Education Center (AHEC), Houston, Texas at the "Radiology Extravaganza" hosted by AHEC and attended by approximately 80 technologists in San Antonio, Texas. AHEC is in the business of providing continuing education (CE) programs for radiology professionals and is supervised by a team of 8 RT's, an RN, an LVN and countless talented support staff and more than 70 adjunct faculty. Under the leadership of Sackett, AHEC has won numerous awards for its many educational programs and for its business growth. As well as being listed by Inc. magazine as one of the fastest growing companies in the U.S., Sackett was named "Entrepreneur of the Year."

Technigram: Ms. Sackett, in your position as President/CEO, what is your view of the general landscape that is continuing education today?

Sackett: In the current landscape, continuing education takes two forms. There are "skills" activities that give the practicing professional the chance to move ahead in their career, either through sponsorship of their employer or under their own motivation and support. Then there is the second type of CE that is informational. However, this type of CE may or may not be relevant to the practice of the technologist. A variety of methodologies are available to suit the geographic and personal preference of many technologists. Technologists may attend a live seminar, access online presentations, perform independent home study or read an approved article and pass a test for CE credit. All of these qualify as resourceful continuing education opportunities actively pursued by technologists today.

Technigram: Ms. Sackett, in your view, what the best methods for radiographers to complete their continuing education? Why?

Sackett: Because of the national demographics of radiologic technologists, CE providers have an interesting target audience to please. By ARRT certification the groups can be divided into "baby boomers" , the oldest technologists but also the group that comprises 50% of all ARRT registrations, "Generation X" technologists , the second largest group, and, third, the "Generation Y" technologists, although at present there are few. The "baby boomers" enjoy "learning for learning's sake." Live seminars appeal to this group. The "Generation X" crowd wants only to learn what is relevant. For them, education is practical and applied. What few "Generation Y" technologists there are prefer educational venues that are entertaining and stimulating relating well to the newer presentation technologies. The methods must meet the requirements of the learner. Some learners are visual while others have high auditory retention. All learners have their preferences and it is a challenge to meet the needs of such a wide variety of learners and learning styles.

Technigram: Does AHEC have plans for the future to address the needs of technologists regarding various CE delivery types?

Sackett: The AHEC Graphics Services division has been expanded to include video and internet services, and, we again, expect some exciting things the next few months. We are currently revising our websites, again, making our class handouts available online, and we are busy planning for additional online coursework. All of these plans incorporate the use of present technology to make our education sessions suit the learner.

Technigram: How do you suppose most technologists will receive their CE credits over the next decade?

Sackett: Over the next ten years more electronic versions of CE offerings will become more available. However, presently, the development costs for electronic delivery are extremely high for the number of current users. This will hinder the development phase.

Technigram: Do you think there is a glut of technologists in the marketplace today?

Sackett: Indeed, there is a glut of technologists in today's marketplace. I have already seen the lowering of wages in some geographic areas. Just as with shortages, the glut varies across the U.S., but, at the same time, it is everywhere. A number of factors are at the heart of the situation, but do we ever learn the lessons of the past? Do we have to repeat our mistakes every ten years? Taking a lesson from the nurses should teach us not to over-train. It's not healthy for the industry. How will this over-supply affect the CE needs of technologists? Because it is our responsibility to move our careers forward and invest in ourselves, we should find that opportunities for important CE will become more available. At AHEC, we want to move into the future by posting our modality training online so that it is available over the internet.

Technigram: In the state of California, CE credits are not usually approved for credit unless the topic of ionizing radiation is connected to the subject matter. Topics dealing with MRI and Ultrasound are not approved. How will AHEC respond to this mandate?

Sackett: Similar to California, Iowa, Illinois and Texas require all or part of the CE to be directly related to the application of ionizing radiation. Ohio requires CE to be directly related to radiation protection. Florida requires that each technologist stay up to date on HIV education. Individual states implement requirements that protect their citizens. However, they are not the gatekeepers of our profession. At the state capitol they do not license or certify individuals in ultrasound or MRI. They license and certify individuals who administer harmful ionizing radiation to the voting public. The rules address protection of the public, otherwise we would not require oversight boards such as the California RHB, or laws to prevent unqualified operators or radiology equipment. It is clear that technologists who have dual certification in multiple modalities will have to continue to do CE in radiography.

Technigram: What do you think is the single biggest positive of the present CE requirement system?

Sackett: I have been involved in the CE of radiology professionals for more than 20 years. I consider the improvements in patient care and diagnosis the biggest positives of the present CE requirement system. We were teaching mammographers how to get their facilities accredited with grant dollars and have watched how much the field has grown, improved, and how the patient has benefited from that improvement. We have seen the implementation of advanced level testing in all modalities and again the patient care improved as formal training took the place of on the job training. We stopped making the mistakes associated with the adage: "see one, do one, teach one."

As CE continues to be more targeted to job performance I do not see many negatives. However, if I had to choose a negative regarding today's CE landscape it would be the lack of confidence in the professional choosing the activity most applicable to their practice. We complain a lot about not being categorized as professionals and I have paid attention to other allied health professions and how they have handled their professional education component. I would prefer that each professional have the liberty to choose the educational activity that is best for them without so much outside regulation and interference.