Des Barnes
Northern News Services

NNSL (Nov 30/98) - Last February, an innovative training program was offered to Inuit people in community health centres in Baffin Island hamlets.

At the time, medical imaging instructors Des Barnes and Leslie Marshall from Mohawk College in Hamilton, Ontario, travelled to Iqaluit to teach 13 students to take X-rays of the chest, arms, legs and the shoulder and hip regions.

The course was attended by Iga Qamanirq from Arctic Bay, Tagoonak Qavavauq from Nanisivik, Rebecca Singoorie from Grise Fiord, Noah Tassugat from Clyde River, Joapie Killiktee from Pond Inlet, Amie Kunilusie and Raygelee Keenainak from Pangnirtung, Imona Kokseak from Broughton Island, Johnny Parr from Cape Dorset, Peter Oolateeta from Igloolik, Andrea Issigaitok from Hall Beach, Emily Agpik from Kimmirut and Leesa Mikijuk from Iqaluit.

These students received instruction in medical imaging terminology, human anatomy, X-ray physics, radiobiology and radiation protection, X-ray positioning, film processing and image evaluation.

They then returned to their individual communities to put these new skills into practice. The X-ray films they have taken were monitored by two X-ray technologists at the Baffin Regional Hospital in Iqaluit, who then provided technical support and film quality assessments to the students.

The second phase of the program began on Oct. 5 when Des Barnes travelled to each community to provide additional education and to administer written and skills tests. So far, he has visited Cape Dorset, Pangnirtung and Broughton Island and said he planned to return in February 1999 to complete the community visits.

After the second phase has been completed, samples of the students work will be sent to McMaster University to ensure that students meet specified performance criteria.

Planning for the third and final phase of the program in Iqaluit at the end of May have already begun.

Students will receive a basic radiography worker certificate issued by Mohawk College and McMaster University after all three phases are completed and the successful students can apply for membership to various national X-ray technologists organizations.