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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 34(1)

The role of health professionals in health promotion: a case study of medical imaging technologists and alcohol

Duncan P. Boldy A C , Caroline Yates A and Teresa A. Ong B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A School of Public Health, Curtin University of Technology, Hayman Road, Bentley, WA, Australia.

B WA Country Health Services, 189 Wellington St, Perth, WA 6000, Australia.

C Corresponding author. Email: d.boldy@curtin.edu.au

Australian Health Review 34(1) 36-40 https://doi.org/10.1071/AH09658
Submitted: 5 June 2008  Accepted: 1 April 2009   Published: 25 March 2010

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the knowledge, attitudes and behaviour of medical imaging technologists (MITs) in Western Australia regarding alcohol. The WA population of 220 MIT members of the Australian Institute of Radiography was surveyed by mail in 2004. Specific questions were devised and piloted covering knowledge of alcohol, alcoholic content and drink size, and related personal behaviour. Responses were obtained from 91 MITs. Overall, they had a good knowledge of key facts related to alcohol. However, this did not always translate into appropriate attitudes and behaviour related to dealing with alcohol abuse. While statistically significant differences were not found according to sex, age group or location (metropolitan or rural), some trends were apparent. This study has found that MITs are not currently as equipped as they should be to be part of the health promotion model of education.

What is known about the topic? Health professionals regularly see the results of accidents, injuries and disease from the abuse of alcohol, yet their role in relation to health promotion is under-researched. Little is known about the knowledge, attitudes and behaviour of medical imaging technologists in relation to alcohol and its abuse, and hence their preparedness to play a health promotion role.

What does this paper add? While the respondents had good knowledge about alcohol this did not translate into appropriate behaviours.

What are the implications for practitioners? Information is provided to guide a more vigorous approach towards educating health professionals about alcohol abuse for a more active role in health promotion.


References


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