The changing role of pre-admission work experience (clinical visits) in therapeutic radiography, diagnostic radiography and operating department practice: Academic perspectives (part 2).

INTRODUCTION: A clinical visit (work experience) provides an opportunity for prospective students, prior to registration, to visit a clinical department to observe health professionals in practice. The Covid-19 pandemic interrupted access to clinical visits; this article explores the value of clinical visits and the alternatives implemented as a response to Covid-19 restrictions from an academic perspective. METHODS: This article reports the quantitative phase of a three-phase mixed methods study. A survey was distributed to Higher Education Institution (HEI) education leaders for onward distribution to academics supporting recruitment for diagnostic radiography, therapeutic radiography and operating department practice programmes. Qualtrics online survey software was used to administer the survey which was launched in October 2020. Descriptive statistics summarised the data. RESULTS: Representing 37.7% (n = 18/49) of eligible universities, 34 responses from 18 HEIs across England and Wales were received Seventy-eight percent of respondents strongly agreed that they are vital in confirming career choices. Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, 64% of respondents' programmes had a clinical visit requirement, yet with improvements in simulation and online learning alternatives, 48% agreed that in the longer-term clinical visits will become obsolete. CONCLUSION: Requirements for clinical visits vary between professions and HEIs; academics welcome an opportunity to standardise work experience. Regardless of prospective student background and selected profession/university, all should have equitable and easily available access to high quality resources to support career decision-making. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The enforced withdrawal of clinical visits may impact upon subsequent attrition associated with 'misinformed career choice'. Alternatives to clinical visits, while less onerous for students, admissions staff and clinical colleagues alike, need to be carefully evaluated to ensure they offer prospective students a realistic understanding of the profession.

The changing role of pre-admission work experience (clinical visits) in Therapeutic Radiography, Diagnostic Radiography and Operating Department Practice: Student perspectives (Part 1).

INTRODUCTION: Clinical visits (work experience opportunities) are a recommended part of admissions processes for many diagnostic and therapeutic radiography courses but not for operating department practice (ODP) where observational visits are challenging for applicants to obtain. The Covid-19 pandemic interrupted access to visits for all prospective students; this study presents a review of the value of clinical visits and alternatives. METHODS: This article reports the initial qualitative phase of a three-phase mixed methods study. Using a critical realist approach, focus groups explored first year student experiences of the 'ideal' pre-admission clinical visit and alternative resources. A structured review of Online Prospectus (OLP) entries was undertaken by two student researchers to ascertain the requirements for clinical visits for the three professions. RESULTS: Four focus groups included 25 first year students interviewed prior to their first clinical placement (14 therapeutic radiography, 5 diagnostic radiography and 6 ODP students). Three themes were constructed, namely: informing career choices, the clinical visit experience, and the value of clinical visits. Clinical visits affirmed rather than inspired career choices. The best timing for a visit was before admission interviews and optimal duration was a full day. Interacting with current students was the most valued aspect. Videos and simulations provided in-depth information about the professional role and allowed replay, but some participants found the videos uninspiring. OLP entries present a confusing picture for applicants who may be researching several Universities and professions. CONCLUSION: Clinical visits were deemed 'vital' to radiography student career choices, yet ODPs who could not access visits were comfortable with videos. Simulated visits are a safe option amidst the pandemic but must capture the dynamic and patient-centred nature of practice to accurately inform career choices.