Thread by @mentorshipzim

In the first part, I introduced radiography in a very general way. In this part I provide more granular details and attempt to explain the different driving factors. I will in some detail discuss the labor market.

There are many reasons that inform people's choices of careers. However, management expert Peter Drucker asserts that "anti-materialism is a myth". Hence the prospect of a good career and a good salary is one of the major motives for career choices.

From the outset let me state very boldly that THERE IS A HUGE SHORTAGE OF RADIOGRAPHERS in the world. Resultantly upon graduation radiographers quickly secure employment. Additionally, the attrition rate among radiographers is very high. Radiography is a scarce skill everywhere.

Why is radiography a scarce skill and why do radiographers come at a premium and often have favorable working conditions? The answer lies in the genesis of the profession&the centuries old myths&legends associated with working with radiation.

Since radiography started in the Labs of renowned scientists, from its outset radiographers were an exclusive club as a profession. This legendary status was reinforced by some myths and anecdotes. It is important to take a look at some of these. I will begin with the facts.

Remember Marie Curie, the lady who won two Nobel prizes? She died in 1934. The cause of death was pernicious anaemia that was she developed due to prolonged exposure to radiation. In fact many of the early radiation workers died from diseases related to exposure to radiation.

Most epidemiology studies established that the incidence of leukemia, skin cancer and breast cancer was much higher in radiation workers compared to other professions. Radiation exposure has deleterious effect on mammalian cells. Radiation workers, including radiographers,

used radiation risk as a leverage in negotiating remuneration and working conditions. In some countries, radiographers have up to 60 annual leave days. In others an unwritten social contract has a radiation risk allowance inserted into the package.

What is the truth about radiation risk?
Broadly we can classify radiation as ionizing and non ionizing. Ionizing radiation damages biological cells and in high doses can be fatal. This explains why the atomic bombs are very lethal. For a radiation to be classified as ionizing,

it must impart enough energy to remove an electron from the target atom. X rays and other types of radiation used in hospitals are ionizing. Hence, they can cause some serious damage if not used properly. On the other hand, microwaves, radio frequency and light waves emit

non ionizing radiation. I might as well point out that the fears that are associated with radiation emitted by cellphones, 5G technology, Cellphone towers are unfounded. All these radiations are non-ionizing. Anecdotal evidence linking some diseases to these technologies are

at best misleading. Let me emphasize this-THERE IS NO EVIDENCE THAT 5G OR CELLPHONE TOWERS CAUSE CANCER. Neither do they cause infertility. Having said that, it is easy to see why fear of radiation can be used as a bargaining tool. It is also easy to understand why ignorance can

drive prospective candidates away from careers in radiography and radiation sciences.

The other common myths about radiation risk are associated with reproductive healthy. Sex and reproductive health are very important issues to most people. Most people have been told that radiation causes infertility, genetic mutations, deformed offsprings etc.

Most of these fears are based on half truths and falsehoods. Radiation exposure concerns are usually directed at 1) the person that has been exposed 2) the embryo in case of pregnant women and 3)the offspring of exposed persons and their offsprings.

Modern radiography technology and techniques are such that radiation workers do not get doses anywhere near the level that would cause these effects. Pregnant radiographers also take extra protection to reduce exposure to radiation. In short radiography is safer than driving.

A lot has been said about genetic effects and the risk of giving birth to handicapped offsprings. THIS IS ANOTHER BIG LIE. Massive exposures to radiation caused by the Hiroshima and Nagaski bombings, Chernobyl disaster and Fukushima incident HAVE NOT RESULTED in increased

genetic effects in offsprings. Put differently the radiation workers, their patients, their offsprings&their offspring's offsprings do not have a significantly increased risk for genetic effects. 80 years after the nuclear bombs Japan has not seen an increase in genetic effects

However, high doses directed at the a pregnant uterus can cause damage to the fetus. This is why before an X ray, ladies are always asked about their mensural history as a means of ruling out possibility of pregnancy. Procedures involving pregnant ladies are performed with

extreme care. Modern radiography uses techniques and technology that minimize radiation exposure to both patients and staff. HERE IS A FACT I WOULD LIKE YOU TO REMEMBER. A flight from Harare to London or New York to London or Harare to Beijing exposes passengers and crew to MORE

Radiation than an X ray procedure. Hence frequent fliers on long distance flights are at greater radiation risks than radiation workers adhering to standard radiation protection practices. RADIOGRAPHY IS AS SAFE AS A FARMER WITH A HOE.

Now let me turn my attention to the S word. SALARIES. Let me present recent survey data from the USA on average salaries.
Associate Professor -$77627 per annum
Nuclear Medicine radiographer-$84593
Radiation therapy radiographers- $85,560
Mammography radiographers-$74,636

Diagnostic radiographers- $63120
Electrical Engineer -$76757
MRI radiographers-$79562.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers-$74320
Dexa Scanner-$51284

A few observations need underlining.
1-Radiographers' salaries in the Northern hemisphere compete well with other STEM careers.
2-These are just averages. I know of nuclear medicine radiographers and therapy radiographers earning more than $usa 200 000.00
3- It pays to specialize

I will now turn my attention to Zimbabwe.
Three institutes offer Radiography training.
Harare School of Radiography offers Diploma courses in Therapy Radiography.
UZ-honors degrees in Diagnostic Radiography (UZ suspended therapy training 10 years ago)
NUST-Bsc (diagnostics)