Building capacity: an evaluation of the use of non-traditional placements in diagnostic radiography education.

Abstract

Students studying to become a diagnostic radiographer are required to undertake clinical placements in order to gain the practical skills necessary to become a registered health care professional. This totals approximately 50% of their programme. Recent changes in technology (such as the move to digital radiography), changes to staffing levels and shift patterns, alongside increasing demand for placements, has made placement capacity a growing issue for Higher Education Institutions (HEIs)2,3,4. As part of a range of strategies designed to address capacity issues, a number of new placements in care settings, and with private, voluntary and independent providers (PVIs), were rolled out to students at one UK HEI. The care placements were expected to have the added advantage of embedding care & compassion, a key area of concern since the Francis enquiry