From Struggle to Success: A Diagnostic Radiographer's Journey with Maths

(This is part of a series on maths in adult life. To see others click here.)

Introduction

While students often struggle to see the relevance of the maths they learn in school, the practical applications can be both surprising and transformative. As part of our series on careers and the importance of maths, Danielle interviewed Lizzie Lee, a dedicated Diagnostic Radiographer and Practice Educator. Lizzie's journey from grappling with maths in her school years to utilising it daily in her profession highlights the significant and sometimes unexpected ways that mathematical skills can impact a career in healthcare.

Danielle: What is your job title?

Lizzie: I am a Diagnostic Radiographer and Practice Educator.

(A Diagnostic Radiographer uses medical imaging techniques, such as X-rays, CT scans, and MRI scans, to diagnose and monitor various health conditions. Her role involves operating imaging equipment, ensuring patient safety, and providing accurate diagnostic images for doctors to interpret. Additionally, as a Practice Educator, she trains and mentors radiography students, helping them develop the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in their roles within the healthcare system.)

Danielle: Can you outline your education and career path?

Lizzie: I have 11 GCSEs, I went straight from [secondary] school to college and achieved 3 A levels in chemistry, biology and health and social care, I then went to university to do a degree in diagnostic radiography, I also had multiple part time jobs from the age of 14. I found education very difficult and worked very hard to get quite average results.

Danielle: how did you find maths at school?

Lizzie: At primary school it was my least favourite subject and I remember finding some of the methods used to multiply and divide very difficult. During [secondary] school as the lessons got more complex, I found maths very difficult and I remember lots of evenings spent crying while my dad tried to help me with my homework! Once I reached year 9 I remember all of the teachers telling us how hard it would be for us to start our careers if we didn't achieve a C [a current grade 4] and I was suddenly terrified of what I would do if I didn't get it! Even though I didn't know what job I wanted to aim for!

Danielle: What was your attitude to study? Did you see how you might need it in the future?

Lizzie: I would leave any maths work to last because I would much rather have been doing anything else! Strangely, I enjoyed science even though it involved some maths because it seemed to make more sense if I was using it for an experiment. That was until year 9, I was lucky enough that my school provided lots of revision and study sessions and my brother was very good at maths. With all of this additional tutoring, although I was predicted a C, I managed to scrape a B! Other than achieving a C to get future opportunities, I didn't really see a whole lot of point in the skills maths taught, when would I ever need to find the square route of X in the real world?

Danielle: Did you have any struggles?

Lizzie: I have dyspraxia which, along with other symptoms, means I can have difficulty processing larger numerical concepts, I'm a very visual learner so if I can't picture it in my head or follow a set order of steps to get to the answer, I don't always know where to start. I remember learning lots of equations and SOHCAHTOA and struggling to remember which one I needed to use for which type of question because they were so similar and there were just so many of them!

Danielle: Where have you found that you needed maths, in life or in your career?

Lizzie: I have needed maths in many practical ways, in my part time jobs, which didn't always have modern tills, I needed to know how to use a calculator correctly, it's one thing knowing mental maths but knowing how to use a calculator has been invaluable. Keeping on top of my finances, understanding different interest rates and being able to see what the best offer I can get has helped me clear my student debt and stopped me from getting into financial difficulties when navigating the growing cost of living and buying my first home. I also use maths in my job, calculating radiation doses and applying principles of radiation physics to ensure that my patients and I are as safe as possible. It's surprising just how much maths is involved in practical ways which I couldn't fully understand in school. I often see people complain that we aren't taught important skills like paying taxes in school, which I do agree with, but the skills you learn in maths get you 90% of the way there!

Danielle: How has a good understanding of maths helped you in your current role?

Lizzie: I need to do regular audits to make sure that I am providing the best care to my patients and the best education to my students, statements such as 'overall patients are happy with their care' are open to interpretation, however saying '85% of patients report positive experiences in the x-ray department' is much more telling and smaller changes are easier to spot so that improvements can be measured and possible incidents can be avoided. The NHS is always striving to do better so this type of maths is useful in many healthcare jobs. I need to calculate student grades, attendance, absence and progress to make sure they are getting the support they need and achieving the best they can.

Danielle: Is there anything else you would like to share with aspiring maths students or those who find maths tricky?

Lizzie: I would advise that maths gets easier when you use it in the real world and learning maths earlier in life can make many areas of your life easier and you can avoid risks! Learning maths at school and getting those skills may feel quite stressful and overwhelming now but it will get better and it will make more sense with time. Just keep making those baby steps forward at your own pace and you will be surprised to see how far you have come! Also, please don't feel that if you don't get 100% on a test, it isn't worth it, average results can get you very very far, especially if you seek out opportunities to progress, and they can be the stepping stones to big achievements. Everyone has their own individual path and failures are opportunities to get feedback and learn, they aren't a full stop!

Conclusion

Lizzie Lee's story is a testament to the power of resilience and the importance of a strong mathematical foundation. Despite facing challenges with maths throughout her education, she has found practical and essential applications for these skills in her career. Her advice to aspiring maths students and those who struggle with the subject is encouraging: perseverance and real-world application can transform difficulties into strengths. Lizzie's journey underscores that average academic results do not define one's potential and that continuous learning and seeking opportunities can lead to significant professional achievements.

(This is part of a series on maths in adult life. To see others click here.)