A study to investigate undergraduate diagnostic radiographer preferences and expectations of clinical role development: Quantitative findings

Manning-Stanley, AS ORCID: 0000-0002-2313-4146 and Kirby, M ORCID: 0000-0001-9765-5641 (2022) A study to investigate undergraduate diagnostic radiographer preferences and expectations of clinical role development: Quantitative findings. RADIOGRAPHY, 28 (2). pp. 319-324.

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Abstract

<h4>Introduction</h4>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.<h4>Methods</h4>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).<h4>Results</h4>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.<h4>Conclusion</h4>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.<h4>Implications for practice</h4>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.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Advanced practice, Expectations, Role development, Student, Four pillars
Divisions:	Faculty of Health and Life Sciences Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Population Health Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Population Health > School of Health Sciences
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	01 Jul 2022 09:58
Last Modified:	18 Jan 2023 20:56
DOI:	10.1016/j.radi.2021.09.010
Related URLs:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3157505