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Start date: 2021Subject: search.filters.subject.Diagnostic imaging

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    Knowledge, attitude, and practices of final-year diagnostic radiography students on setting exposure factors, at the University of Technology, in the eThekwini District
    (2024) Rajendra, Yashodha; Khoza, Thandokuhle Emmanuel
    Background: This study focused on the ability of diagnostic radiography students to set accurate imaging exposure factors and their knowledge, attitude and practice of the factors that influence these imaging parameters. The setting of imaging exposure factors refer to exposure technique while exposure factors refer to the kilovoltage and milliamperes that are required to produce a radiographic image. The importance of understanding the relationship between these factors permits radiographers to maintain optimal image quality whilst keeping the radiation dose to the patient as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA). Aim of the study: The aim of the study was to determine the knowledge, attitude and practice of final-year diagnostic radiography students in terms of setting exposure factors. Methodology: The type of study conducted was a quantitative cross-sectional survey of final-year diagnostic radiography students at the University of technology in Kwa-Zulu Natal regarding the application of factors that affect radiation dose and image quality. The sampling technique selected for this study was probability stratified sampling. Total sampling was used due to the small number of final-year students. Results: Various statistical tests such as Descriptive statistics, the Analysis Of Variance Model, Binomial test, Pearson's correlation coefficient, One-sample t-test, Cronbach alpha and Independent samples t-test were adopted to analyse the data yielded by the collection tool. There were no significant differences in demographics. The mean value for knowledge was 67.71%. Attitude and practice were moderately correlated with p=0.004 and r=-0.474. This correlation was measured using Person’s correlation coefficient test. The study demonstrated that despite having adequate knowledge of imaging exposures and a positive attitude, students did not always practice accurately. Conclusion: This study investigated final-year diagnostic radiography students’ competence in their final year and focused on their readiness for community service in terms of their knowledge, attitude and practice of imaging exposure factors. The overall benefit of this study highlighted the final-year diagnostic radiography students’ ability to set correct exposure factors thus identifying any weaknesses that will prevent them from practicing radiography correctly. Additional support from training institutions and universities, in the areas of weakness would provide students with the necessary tools to practise radiography during their community service without radiating their patients unnecessarily.
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    The perceptions of diagnostic radiography clinical tutors transitioning from being radiographers to clinical educators in public hospitals in the eThekwini District
    (2023-05-31) Ncwane, Vukani Siphiwesihle; Khoza, Thandokuhle Emmanuel
    Introduction: Clinical tutors display competence in the practice of their craft. However, that competence does not automatically transfer to the area of clinical instruction. A unique aspect of teaching radiologic sciences is the need to be didactically and clinically proficient. Clinical instructors are known as having practical knowledge of teaching, but few understand the basic principles, theories, and concepts of the teaching and learning process. Furthermore, radiographers who transition into the role of clinical tutors are usually expert practitioners but may lack knowledge of best practices regarding student instruction and evaluation. The lack of adequate clinical education and supervision can result in low performance and students failing to apply theory to practice. There is a lack of data studying these issues which might shed light on the perceptions of clinical tutors’ transition. These factors generated the researcher’s interest in formally investigating the perceptions of radiography clinical tutors on the transition from being a radiographer to a clinical educator in the eThekwini district of KwaZulu-Natal. Aim: The study aimed to explore the perceptions of radiography clinical tutors on the transition from being a radiographer to an educator in public hospitals. Ultimately, the study aimed to recommend measures to be put in place to allow for the effective transitioning of radiographers to being clinical educators at public hospitals. Methodology: A non-probability sampling method using purposive sampling was used to select five hospitals within the eThekwini District. From these hospitals, a minimum of seven diagnostic radiography clinical tutors were selected and interviewed. A qualitative methodology design was employed in this study, in which semi-structured and in-depth interviews using open-ended questions were used to collect data from participants. Covid19 rules and protocols were followed. Four main themes generated from the study’s theoretical framework were used for data analysis. Findings: Thematic analysis of the transcribed interviews revealed four main themes, namely: situation, social support factor, strategy, and self-factor. The findings of the study indicated that the majority of participants have had major challenges in the transition process, which has led to negative experiences and only a few had a positive experience. Research participants further revealed that they are experiencing high workloads due to a shortage of staff, which was one of the major barriers that also affected students’ learning and participants’ effective transition. Research participants suggested that the appointed clinical tutor must undergo training before starting their job, whereby the job description will be clearly stated, including the required skills. Lastly, participants postulated that clinical tutors and teaching institutes must create a forum for clinical tutors where they will engage with the university to discuss the issues and challenges of students during clinical training and assist each other with teaching skills. Conclusion: Clinical tutors who participated indicated that they are facing challenges in transitioning from being a radiographer. These challenges affected their abilities to supervise students, which in turn affected the clinical learning progress of students. This, therefore, calls for an extensive intervention of both the learning institution, the hospital management, and other relevant stakeholders to best figure out how these challenges can be tackled. This will allow for a smooth transition and improve students’ supervision and ability to learn at the clinical venues.
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    A quality framework for radiographic service delivery in regional hospitals in the eThekwini District, KwaZulu-Natal
    (2021-12-01) Gam, Nkululeko Phalson; Sibiya, M. N.
    Background Generally, diagnostic imaging services in Africa are challenged by many factors including lack of equipment and personnel, quality assurance and quality control measures, quality management and monitoring and evaluation frameworks. These challenges are further compounded by a lack of understanding of the factors responsible for poor imaging service delivery and the mitigation strategies. Furthermore, there is paucity of context specific research on diagnostic imaging service delivery in African counties including South Africa. A practice framework was deemed necessary to guide quality of services in diagnostic imaging services in regional hospitals within the eThekwini district of KwaZulu-Natal. Aim The aim of this study was to explore the factors affecting quality in diagnostic imaging departments of the regional hospitals in the eThekwini District of KwaZuluNatal in order to develop a framework that can be used to improve quality. Method A convergent parallel mixed methods design was employed to explore factors affecting quality in medical imaging departments in regional hospitals in the eThekwini District of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. In addition, a stratified random sampling strategy was used for quantitative data collection whilst a purposive sampling strategy was used for the qualitative strand. The quantitative strand of the study used a questionnaire administered to patients to measure their levels of satisfaction with service delivery rendered by the diagnostic imaging departments. Data in the quantitative strand were analysed using Version 26.0 of the SPSS and tests such one sample t-test, univariate analysis, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), Levene's Test for Equality of Variances, Spearman’s rho and independent sample t-tests were used. Furthermore, the quantitative strand consisted of an image reject analysis to investigate rates at which images were rejected and reasons for rejection. The qualitative strand involved in-depth one-on-one interviews with doctors, radiographers, Radiography Managers and hospital wide Quality Assurance Managers. Questions regarding quality of service delivery, possible areas and strategies to improve quality were posed to participants. Responses were recorded through notes made by the primary researcher together with voice recordings. Content analysis was used to analyse qualitative data. Findings The construct that emerged from analysis of results from the patient satisfaction survey were cleanliness, staff, comfort, communication and booking times. There was significant agreement that all the aspects investigated were acceptable to the patients (M>3.5, SD>7). However, although patients were satisfied with comfort in the imaging departments in general, they were dissatisfied with the comfort of the waiting area. Reject rate analysis was conducted in three regional hospitals and the reject rates were different for each hospital (Hospital A = 12.67%, Hospital B = 10.67% and Hospital D = 4%). The average reject rate for all the hospitals was higher than the WHO benchmark of 10%. Twenty eight participants including nine doctors, 13 radiographers, three QA Managers and three Radiography Managers were interviewed across the four regional hospitals during the qualitative strand. Four themes emerged following analysis of qualitative data and these included definition of quality of imaging services by the participants, inadequacy of clinical provisions, leadership and management of medical imaging departments as well as facilities and resources. Issues expressed by the participants regarding inadequacy of clinical provisions included patient referral protocols, communication, image quality and radiology reports. Furthermore, regarding leadership and management participants expressed opinions on roles and responsibilities, accountability, monitoring of working hours and National Core Standards. Lastly, facilities resources included issues such as inadequacy of imaging equipment, inadequacy of staffing, and inservice training. Conclusion The findings reported in the current thesis and the resulting framework are highly relevant to policy and practice particularly in the eThekwini District. The involvement of patients and healthcare professionals in identifying challenges and solutions is a major strength of the current research. The current study has also uncovered the deficiencies in diagnostic imaging services in the eThekwini district around radiographers’ knowledge of the National Core Standards. Finally, if implemented, the framework developed can be used to enhance equipment testing and maintenance policies and improve staff and patient satisfaction as well as staff development. These should increase quality in diagnostic imaging services