Publications by year
In Press
Gundry M, Knapp, Meertens, Meakin JR (In Press). Computer-aided detection in musculoskeletal projection radiography: a systematic review.
Radiography Full text.
2019
Rimes SJ, Knapp KM, Meertens RM, Fox DL (2019). Computed tomography colonography: Radiographer independent preliminary clinical evaluation for intraluminal pathology.
RadiographyAbstract:
Computed tomography colonography: Radiographer independent preliminary clinical evaluation for intraluminal pathology
© 2019 Introduction: We evaluated the reporting competency of radiographers providing preliminary clinical evaluations (PCE) for intraluminal pathology of computed tomography colonography (CTC). Method: Following validation of a suitable tool, audit was undertaken to compare radiographer PCE against radiology reports. A database was designed to capture radiographer and radiologist report data. The radiographer's PCE of intraluminal pathology was given a score, the “pathology discrepancy and significance” (PDS) score based on the pathology present, any discrepancy between the PCE and the final report, and the significance of that discrepancy on the management of the patient. Agreement was assessed using percentage agreement and Kappa coefficient. Significant discrepancies between findings were compared against endoscopy and pathology reports. Results: There was agreement or insignificant discrepancy between the radiographer PCE and the radiology report for 1736 patients, representing 97.0% of cases. There was a significant discrepancy between findings in 2.8% of cases and a major discrepancy recorded for 0.2% of cases. There was a 98.4% agreement in the 229 cases where significant pathologies were present. Conclusion: from a database of 1815 studies acquired over three years and representing work done in a clinical environment, this study indicates a potential for trained radiographers to provide a PCE of intraluminal pathology.
Abstract.
van den Heuvel J, Punch A, Aweidah L, Meertens R, Lewis S (2019). Optimizing Projectional Radiographic Imaging of the Abdomen of Obese Patients: an e-Delphi Study.
Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation SciencesAbstract:
Optimizing Projectional Radiographic Imaging of the Abdomen of Obese Patients: an e-Delphi Study
© 2019 Purpose: Obesity is increasing in prevalence globally, with increased demands placed on radiology departments to image obese patients to assist with diagnosis and management. The aim of this study was to determine perceived best practice techniques currently used in clinical practice for projectional radiography of the abdomen for obese patients with the aim to help elucidate areas for future research and education needs in this field. Experimental Design: a two round e-Delphi study was undertaken to establish a consensus within a reference group of expert Australian clinical educator diagnostic radiographers (CEDRs). Initially, a conceptual map of issues regarding imaging obese patients was undertaken by analysing interview transcripts of 12 CEDRs. This informed an online questionnaire design used in Delphi rounds 1 and 2. A consensus threshold was set
Abstract.
2018
Meertens RM, Casanova F, Knapp KM, Thorn C, Strain WD (2018). Use of Near-Infrared Systems for Investigations of Hemodynamics in Human in Vivo Bone Tissue: a Systematic Review.
Journal of Orthopaedic Research Full text.
2017
Meertens RM, Abd Hakip FH, Hassan H, Aboo Samah SN, Pg Zulkifli R (2017). The effect of exposure index on subjective image quality.
Meertens RM, Casanova F, Strain WD, Knapp K, Thorn C (2017). The use of near-infrared systems for investigations of microvascular haemodynamics in human in vivo bone tissue: a systematic review. International Society of Oxygen Transfer to Tissue Annual Meeting 2017. 19th - 23rd Aug 2017.
Meertens RM, Mills J, Green D, Pollard S (2017). Use of RIPLS questionnaire to evaluate medical imaging and medical students inter professional learning experience.
2016
Meertens RM, Rehman M, Senya E, Morina E, SSekatawa S (2016). Determining image quality based on displayed exposure index.
Meertens R, Knapp K, Strain D, Casanova F (2016). NEAR INFRARED SPECTROSCOPY: a POTENTIAL TOOL FOR ASSESSING HAEMODYNAMIC MARKERS OF THE MICROVASCULAR BLOOD SUPPLY WITHIN BONE TISSUE.
Author URL.
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Meertens RM, Knapp KM, Strain WD, Casanova F (2016). The Effects of Lumbar Sympathectomy on Bone and Soft Tissue Haemodynamics of the Leg recorded using Near Infrared Spectroscopy: a Case Report.
Journal of Biomedical Engineering and Informatics,
3, 28-32.
Full text.
Meertens R (2016). Utilisation of a peer assisted learning scheme in an undergraduate diagnostic radiography module.
Radiography,
22(1), e69-e74.
Abstract:
Utilisation of a peer assisted learning scheme in an undergraduate diagnostic radiography module
© 2015 the College of Radiographers. Background: Peer to peer support programmes involve students supporting each other in either an educational, social and/or pastoral way. This is now common place in higher education institutes and has been proven to decrease student attrition and improve grades. Aim: to evaluate a peer assisted learning scheme (PALS) within the University of Exeter undergraduate programme, where final year (stage 3) students held extra-curricular teaching sessions in an on-campus X-ray room throughout the academic term to support a first year (stage 1) module introducing basic projectional radiographic examinations, radiation safety, patient care and radiographic equipment. PALS sessions were unstructured and as such could involve roleplaying radiographic examinations, revisiting lecture material and/or discussing hospital placement or pastoral issues. Methods: Brookfield's four lenses of critical reflection were used. 16 of 63 stage 1 students and 9 of 29 stage 3 students were electronically surveyed upon completion of the PALS sessions. Relevant colleagues and educational specialists were also informally interviewed. These were put in context with autobiographical reflections and the existing literature base on PALS. Results: all agreed that the sessions provided a good environment for stage 1 students to improve their practical skills, revise lecture content, and gain confidence for upcoming clinical placements. Stage 3 students gained experience teaching students, an essential role of a graduate radiographer's job. Improvements around recruiting stage 3 peer leaders, sustainability, timetabling and session structure were explored. Conclusion: the PALS proved to be a successful initiative within the undergraduate programme and will be continued into the future.
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Meertens RM, Al-Rubeyi S, Farah W, Furmully M, Knapp K, Green D (2016). Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency in the radiography population: Are we at risk?. UKRC 2016.
2015
Meertens RM, Strain WD, Knapp KM (2015). A Review of the Mechanisms, Diagnosis and Preventative Treatment of Osteoporotic Fragility Fractures in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.
Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism,
Volume 5(Number 1-2), 157-162.
Abstract:
A Review of the Mechanisms, Diagnosis and Preventative Treatment of Osteoporotic Fragility Fractures in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
The primary association of both type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and fragility fractures with age has become cause for concern in the developed world, with T2DM now considered an independent risk factor for an increased risk of fragility fracture. The increased susceptibility to fragility fracture associated with T2DM has wide ranging and increasing socioeconomic, morbidity and mortality effects. As the incidence of T2DM increases, understanding the mechanisms behind why T2DM is a causative risk factor to decreased bone health is an important step. These may be split into two broad categories: those that involve an increased risk of falling, and those mechanisms that make fragility fracture after falling more likely due to detrimental changes to bone strength. The latter is not definitively understood making diagnosis in T2DM populations difficult. Current diagnostic methods do not sufficiently account for the unique endocrinological effects of T2DM on bone. New markers for identifying fragility fracture risk in patients with T2DM are required to overcome the paradoxical increase in bone mineral density (BMD) in these populations, and the shortcomings of predictive algorithms and dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in identifying fracture risk in T2DM populations. Earlier identification of patients with T2DM who are at risk of fragility fracture is important, as these patients are not as responsive to current preventative medical interventions as those without T2DM, although there are also adoptive lifestyle changes that can help.
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Meertens RM (2015). An Evaluation of Service Users as an Educational Resource in an Undergraduate Diagnostic Radiography Module. UKRC 2015. 29th Jun - 1st Jul 2015.
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Rimes SJ, Fox D, Knapp KM, Meertens R (2015). The development and evaluation of an audit tool for measuring reporting accuracy of radiographers compared with radiologists for intra-luminal pathology detected at computed tomography colonography (CTC).
Radiography,
21(3), 264-268.
Abstract:
The development and evaluation of an audit tool for measuring reporting accuracy of radiographers compared with radiologists for intra-luminal pathology detected at computed tomography colonography (CTC)
© 2015 the College of Radiographers. Objective: to design and test an audit tool to measure the reporting accuracy of radiographers using radiologist reports as the gold standard. Design: a database was designed to capture radiographer and radiologist report data. The radiographer preliminary evaluation of intraluminal pathology was given a score (PDS score) by the reporting radiologist based on the pathology present, the discrepancy between the preliminary evaluation and the final report and the significance of that discrepancy on the clinical management of the patient. To test the reliability of this scoring system, 30 randomly selected cases (n=1815) were retrospectively compared and assessed for accuracy using the PDS score by 3 independent practitioners. Inter rater reliability was assessed using percentage agreement and kappa scores. Results: There was 100% agreement between participants for all significant pathologies. Inter rater agreement was 80-93% for normal studies and insignificant pathologies. Conclusion: Results indicate that the tool provides a practical, easy to use and reliable method to record, monitor and evaluate a preliminary evaluation of the colon by radiographers.
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2013
Meertens R, Brealey S, Nightingale J, McCoubrie P (2013). Diagnostic accuracy of radiographer reporting of computed tomography colonography examinations: a systematic review. Clinical Radiology
Knapp KM, Meertens RM, Seymour R (2013). Imaging in Osteoporosis.
CME Journal: Geriatric Medicine,
10 Full text.
