“Radiography Students: Dare To Be Different” aims to inspire the budding radiographers, emboldening them to step beyond the traditional confines of the profession and explore the endless possibilities that their skills and knowledge can unlock. In an industry marked by rapid technological advancements and continuous evolution, those who dare to be different not only survive but thrive.
This article serves as a call to action, an invitation to unleash your creativity, push the boundaries, and make your distinctive mark in the world of radiography. Whether you’re just beginning your educational journey or standing at the crossroads of career choices, this article aims to light the way for a more dynamic, innovative future. Buckle up for a thrilling ride into the future of radiography – it’s time to dare to be different.
The purpose of this post is two fold:
- to remind you to think outside the box and realize you bring your own natural talents and abilities to healthcare
- to show you an example of someone who bucked the system and will be forever remembered by his comrades for doing it
Steeped in Standardization
Radiologic Technologists go through two years of training which includes around 2,000 hours of clinical rotations.
During that time, we are taught how to perform hundreds of examinations by protocol. This means following a step-by-step outline for a particular imaging study.
This is important when considering the desired output of predictable outcomes and standardizations.
If every Tech, did every examination differently, there would be no baseline standard for which to evaluate a series of images.
Different is Good
That being said, we also know that our craft often calls for thinking outside the box.
Students will learn this when they get their first trauma study. Trauma studies often present extreme challenges brought on by patients severely deformed by injury.
You cannot follow a standard imaging protocol when a femur is fractured midline and jutting out of the skin mid-thigh.
You have to learn how to think outside the box and take a different approach to achieve the same desired outcomes.
When you know you can do better
I was thrilled to attend the 2019 AHRA (Association of Radiology Administrators) annual conference in Nashville.
This would be my fourth time to attend so I knew there were hundreds of radiology gems to be discovered.
The next keynote speaker was one of those gems.
His name is Manley Feinberg and he can be found at Vertical Lessons.
Now, on with the show.
When Manley was in high school, he approached his Principal and asked if he could play his guitar during the National Anthem at their homecoming event.
His Principal agreed on one condition: no funny business. Meaning, play the song with honor and pride and use a standard approach for playing the song.
Manley anguished over the thought of standing on that platform and playing a monotone, borderline-boring rendition of a song that was so important to this country.
He decided to buck the orders of his superior and play the song in a way he felt would bring the most glory to the purpose.
Here is the breath-taking result, as shared with us on stage, at the 2019 AHRA annual conference:
Needless to say, his Principal was not happy. I picture it much like this scene from Back to the Future:
“I’m afraid you’re just TOO DARN LOUD!”
Principal – Huey Lewis
But even though the Principal was not happy, his classmates are still talking about the performance decades later.
Dare to be different.
Follow your heart.
Show the world YOUR talents.
