Opportunities for leadership development in radiography, a scoping review

Introduction
The last decade has seen healthcare experience an exponential growth in terms of technological advancements and patients requiring diagnosis and treatment. Effective leadership is seen as being key in the transformation of services and improvements in patient outcomes. The aim of this scoping review was to identify and evaluate where leadership opportunities exist for the radiographic workforce and how these are supported, valued and actioned.
Method
A systematic search of relevant databases was undertaken. Inclusion criteria included literature from the last twenty years, both diagnostic and therapeutic radiographers, primary and secondary research as well as grey literature. Specific areas discussing leadership opportunities for radiographers were identified and arranged into relevant themes.
Results
Leadership development for radiographers has largely been aligned to clinical roles at the higher levels of practice, or around supporting and empowering students. Confusion between management and leadership is apparent as is the impact of leaders within radiography. Expectations around leadership capabilities are clear at advanced and consultant levels of practice but outside this remit, there has been minimal research undertaken that focuses on specific leadership development opportunities.
Conclusion
The literature outlines the potential for designated leadership development opportunities for radiographers. However, this is clearly limited to very specific areas of the workforce such as those practitioners working at an advanced and consultant level of practice. Current pressures on healthcare services to transform services and support innovative practice, suggest that the potential to develop the wider radiographer workforce through focused leadership development is explored and evaluated further.
Implications for Practice
Limited focal leadership development is evident within the radiography profession. This article seeks to inform future development opportunities for leadership development. Non-clinical leadership development requires further investigation.