In the past 20 years most medical imaging departments in North America and the UK have switched to digital imaging. Some departments are ok with techs using digital markers. Xray Markers consist of a Lead R or L and most times the tech initials. Xray Markers are important because anyone looking at the processed image will see the R or L and determine the side of the body imaged due to the marker.
But it can be a slipery slope if techs are to reliant on placing post annotations after the image is taken. Mistakes can be made after the fact. It is better to place the marker on the imaging plate before the xray is taken, to avoid errors especially with mulitple films. Ex. That oblique C-spine (did you pronate the marker or not?).
I can call myself a bit of a dinasour. When I was in training to become a Xray Tech. I had to go to the darkroom to process all my films.. Not to mention that dreaded portable shift. Where you had to develop 12 to 25 Chest X-rays on your own and pray no one opened the darkroom door. I always used my xray markers and took pride in using them.
One thing that has not changed is the use of xray markers. For every X-ray Technologist, markers are part of our work attire. We either have a markers taped to our marker stoppers ready to go or we carry our markers on a lanyard.
Any student learning about xray markers it can be tricky for them to understand whether to pronate them or not, is a skill. When the student understands the importance of placement you know they will be ok!
Xray Markers.ca carries a student marker package with clear markers, so that the R and L are clearly visible.
https://xraymarkers.ca/product/student/package/