A study to investigate undergraduate diagnostic radiographer preferences and expectations of clinical role development: Quantitative findings.
Radiography (Lond) 2021;
28:319-324. [PMID:
34688550 DOI:
10.1016/j.radi.2021.09.010]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2021] [Revised: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION
Whilst United Kingdom (UK) student ambitions for role development have been surveyed previously, no literature has explored their specialisation preferences. This study aimed to explore these ambitions and preferences in final year diagnostic radiography undergraduates at a Higher-Education Institute (HEI) in the North-West of England.
METHODS
University ethical approval was granted for a survey-based study. A questionnaire consisting of 4 closed questions and 6 open questions was distributed in paper format after a taught session. Responses were collated and summarised in Excel (descriptive statistics), and transferred into SPSS (inferential statistics).
RESULTS
The response rate was 75.6% (n = 34/45). Respondents were predominantly female (73.5%), had A-level as their highest qualification (79.4%) and were of 'school-leaver' age (76.5%) at the start of the degree. By overall total, preferences were for reporting (n = 24/101; 23.8%), computed tomography (CT) (n = 20/101; 19.8%) and MRI/ultrasound (both 12/101; 12.5%). CT had more first choices (n = 8) than reporting (n = 7). 73.5% anticipated specialising in less than 2 years, and 100% within 4 years.
CONCLUSION
Other than a larger percentage having A-level as their highest qualification, the participant demographics were similar to the UK radiography workforce. Reporting, CT, MRI and ultrasound are the specialisation preferences of final year undergraduate diagnostic radiography students. Expectations for the timeline of role development were slightly more ambitious than previously found.
IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE
Identification of reporting as the preferred area of specialisation is a novel finding in the context of UK HEIs. Harnessing this ambition will help meet the goals of successive government policy. Ensuring the ambitions of graduate diagnostic radiographers can be satisfied has clear implications for staff retention within the NHS.
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