Abstract

There is an increasing need to actively engage with evidence-based practice (EBP) to effectively respond to the current changes and demands in healthcare including workforce shortages, improving the quality of services, accessibility, and increasing and more complex healthcare needs. The changes in healthcare have also significantly affected the radiography profession, leading to role developments due to a shortage of radiologists, increased waiting times and demand to streamline patient pathways.1 Moreover, radiography is a fundamental discipline when considering the integration of rapidly advancing technology, diagnostics and therapeutic procedures, and quality-conscious users expecting effective, high-quality radiography services.2 To actively respond to the changes within the profession, radiographers are increasingly expected to engage in EBP and continuing professional development (CPD).3, 4 However, the theory-practice gap in radiography remains existent with commonly reported barriers including negative attitude and beliefs, a lack of knowledge and skills, limited resources and a lack of support and authority.5, 6, 7, 8 This poster introduces the social learning theory Communities of Practice (CoPs), a theory as yet unexplored in radiography practice, with the aim to bridge the gap between theory and practice.