Radiographer Stella Campbell’s research among ‘most cited in her profession’

From time to time, some of our colleagues will be asked to contribute to academic journals or research as part of the expertise they hold in their profession.

One such colleague – Yeovil Hospital-based consultant radiographer Stella Campbell – has been praised by a leading diagnostics journal for the huge impact one of her articles has had on others in the profession, or those aspiring to become a radiographer.

The editor-in-chief of the world-wide publication, Radiography, recently wrote to Stella to let her know that the article she co-wrote – Retention of radiographers in the NHS: Influencing factors across the career trajectory – was its sixth most cited journal article in 2024.

The article covered the topic of how meeting the rising demands for imaging and radiotherapy services very much depends on the long-term workforce challenges experienced in many countries, which must be addressed.

It explores how factors that lead to radiographers leaving the NHS, such as challenging working patterns, lack of flexibility in working patterns and lack of timely career progression and continuing professional development, change at different stages of their career trajectory.

Stella explains how it all came about: “I was part of the Society of Radiographers’ research mentorship scheme, which is designed to help radiographers get involved in research,” she says.

“I was invited by my mentor, Julie Nightingale, to join their research project that looked at what could be done to encourage radiographers to stay in the NHS.

“While my part was fairly limited, it was quite eye opening, as I was doing some telephone interviews, where I asked lots of relevant questions to my peer radiographers across the country, and I also helped with processing and analysis of the results.

“I’m really proud to have been involved with this piece of work and it was great to be recognised by our peers in this journal, as they must have found it very useful judging by the large number of citations.”

Jonathan McNulty, editor-in-chief of Radiography, says: “As a journal, we can reassure our authors that not only are citations from Radiography growing, but more people are engaging with the content

“As an author myself, I think we are all hopeful that others will read our work, learn from it, critique it, and that in some way, big or small, it will have an impact on their professional practice.

“So, for the top 10 most downloaded articles in 2024, which were published between 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2024, Stella’s article was the sixth most downloaded article in 2024 – huge congratulations to her.”

You can read the article that Stella co-wrote here: Retention of radiographers in the NHS: Influencing factors across the career trajectory - ScienceDirect.