Occupational Stress among Radiographers: Impact of Sonography Responsability

Role extension in any occupation can affect both psychosocial and biomechanical stress levels and thus; have some consequences on efficiency in service delivery. The study was aimed to determine the impact of role extension of medical radiographers into sonography. 50 self-administered questionnaires were distributed to radiographers and to sonographers (radiographers with sonography responsibility). The questionnaires included questions seeking information on the demographic profile of the radiographer and sonographer; anatomical regions of biomechanical symptoms/stress and visual analogue scale (VAS); which rated job satisfaction and anxiety levels. 96of the questionnaires were returned and analyzed statistically using SPSS 11.0 software with P 0.05 indicating level of significance. Sonographers had more prevalence of biomechanical stress symptoms than the radiographers. Job satisfaction for sonographers (58.75) was lower than that for radiographers (64.29). Anxiety level was higher among sonographers even though this was not statistically significant. Sonography responsibility on radiographers did not have any significant effect on psychosocial stress. A balance in the extended role could aid efficiency in service delivery while improving the social strength of the individual

Perceptions of Medical Students Undergoing Cadaveric Training: a Sociocognitive Perspective

The emotional and sociocognitive aspects of human dissection are important aspects of professionalism in medical training and so should be critically evaluated in the present day changing society. Medical students of Ebonyi State University; Nigeria completed 390 questionnaires. The questionnaires included questions seeking demographic information; open-ended questions on their first experience of dissection and suggestions on improvements in training. The Visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to assess anxiety and satisfaction levels. The questionnaires were analyzed statistically with P0.05 indicating level of significance. Majority (35.7) of the students was excited/fulfilled after their first experience and 41.5were of the opinion that life in humans is more appreciated by dissection. Their mean anxiety level was 3.42 while satisfaction rating was 7.13 on a scale of 1-10. A greater number of students suggested that conducive learning environment and improved preservation techniques would improve satisfaction (30.3and 33.1respectively). A Conducive environment and better preservation of cadavers are the major factors that improve satisfaction. Psychosocial factors should be assessed constantly to ascertain attitudinal changes of students; which will be helpful in quality of professional formation