Technologist-performed double-contrast barium enema: United Kingdom experience and relevance for screening

There are about 250,000 barium enema examinations performed in the United Kingdom each year, and medical radiation technologies now performed approximately half of them. The technologists are encouraged to provide a provisional report, although the final report is still given by the radiologist. This article describes my experience helping to train over 570 technologists and examines the possible role the trained technologist might play in a future colorectal cancer screening program. (author)