Celebrating World Radiography Day in the North East and North Cumbria

Today (Monday 8 November) is World Radiography Day. The date marks the anniversary of the discovery of x-radiation by Wilhelm Roentgen in 1895.

NIHR Clinical Research Network North East and North Cumbria has a dedicated Imaging Champion, Dr Julie Cox. The role was created to promote and enhance the awareness of imaging-based research and to encourage people involved in imaging to become research active. 

As Imaging Champion, Dr Cox provides research advice to people working in imaging, organises educational events and provides advice about studies involving imaging. 

Dr Cox has been a Principal Investigator on a number of NIHR portfolio studies, mainly in the field of breast imaging. She was Chief Investigator for the Multidetector Computed Tomography Improving Surgical Outcomes in Breast Cancer (MISO BC) trial. The study investigated whether multidetector CT scanning can be used to accurately assess whether breast cancer has spread from the breast to the lymph nodes (cells) in the armpit.

Dr Cox said: “My message to anyone thinking about becoming involved in imaging research is ‘don't be afraid to try!’. The most important thing is to have a great idea which is important to you as a professional and to your patients. There are plenty of sources of advice and access to experts to help you develop your idea into a more concrete plan and potentially a study.”

In February 2020 Dr Cox ran an Imaging workshop for about 50 delegates to bring together established and potential researchers and provide background to trial methodology, writing grant applications and patient and public involvement and engagement.

Dr Cox is currently organising a series of three webinars on imaging-based research to start on Monday 29 November 2021.

The first webinar ‘how to engage with patients and the public post pandemic’ is to update research active and research interested radiographers and imagers about the current patient and public involvement and engagement activity in health research and techniques for increasing PPIE activity post pandemic.

The webinar will be interactive and participants can ask questions of the presenter, Justine Smith, an expert in this topic, and feedback on their own experience. Please register for the webinar.

Dr Cox is a Consultant Radiologist at South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust and is also Deputy Editor for the journal ‘Clinical Radiology’.