Radiographers' and students' experiences of undergraduate radiotherapy practice placement in the United Kingdom. 2019

M McPake
School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Cowcaddens Road, Glasgow G4 0BA, UK. Electronic address: maureen@mmcpake.co.uk.

A three-phased, mixed-methods study was conducted to explore the experiences of undergraduate radiotherapy students and their supervising practice educators within U.K. radiotherapy practice placement. Qualitative data were gathered from focus groups/interviews with volunteer participants to elicit in-depth perceptions about experiences of practice placement. Data were transcribed, verbatim, and manually coded and analysed by the researcher using the applied research methodology of framework analysis, enabling the investigation of the a priori theme 'practice placement model', and recommendations were made for improvement. Two radiotherapy placement models are confirmed, i.e. the single student model, and the paired student model, and advantages and disadvantages are identified for each. Study findings suggest that neither radiotherapy model is superior to the other in terms of placement education and experience. Previous and current experience of either model appears to bias students and practice educators towards that model, despite recognition of its disadvantages. The experiences of students and practice educators using the radiotherapy models are consistent with the experiences of other AHPs and nursing using similar practice placement models. It is recommended that all students should have access to peer-assisted learning on placement to improve critical thinking skills, to enable time for reflection, and to consolidate learning.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D010379 Peer Group Group composed of associates of same species, approximately the same age, and usually of similar rank or social status. Group, Peer,Groups, Peer,Peer Groups
D010465 Perception The process by which the nature and meaning of sensory stimuli are recognized and interpreted. Sensory Processing,Processing, Sensory
D011871 Radiology A specialty concerned with the use of x-ray and other forms of radiant energy in the diagnosis and treatment of disease.
D011878 Radiotherapy The use of IONIZING RADIATION to treat malignant NEOPLASMS and some benign conditions. Radiotherapy, Targeted,Targeted Radiotherapy,Radiation Therapy,Radiation Therapy, Targeted,Radiation Treatment,Targeted Radiation Therapy,Radiation Therapies,Radiation Therapies, Targeted,Radiation Treatments,Radiotherapies,Radiotherapies, Targeted,Targeted Radiation Therapies,Targeted Radiotherapies,Therapies, Radiation,Therapies, Targeted Radiation,Therapy, Radiation,Therapy, Targeted Radiation,Treatment, Radiation
D004504 Education, Medical, Undergraduate The period of medical education in a medical school. In the United States it follows the baccalaureate degree and precedes the granting of the M.D. Medical Education, Undergraduate,Education, Undergraduate Medical,Undergraduate Medical Education
D006113 United Kingdom Country in northwestern Europe including Great Britain and the northern one-sixth of the island of Ireland, located between the North Sea and north Atlantic Ocean. The capital is London. Great Britain,Isle of Man
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000072177 Radiologists Physicians specializing in the use of x-ray and other forms of radiant energy to diagnose and treat disease. Radiologist
D000073919 Interdisciplinary Placement Teaching strategy of shared learning based cross-discipline experiences and placements. Collaborative Learning,Shared Learning,Collaborative Learnings,Interdisciplinary Placements,Learning, Collaborative,Learning, Shared,Placement, Interdisciplinary,Placements, Interdisciplinary
D001291 Attitude of Health Personnel Attitudes of personnel toward their patients, other professionals, toward the medical care system, etc. Staff Attitude,Attitude, Staff,Attitudes, Staff,Health Personnel Attitude,Health Personnel Attitudes,Staff Attitudes

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