Abstract
Malawi is currently experiencing a severe shortage of radiologists. This shortage affects service delivery to patients. Radiographers currently only assist radiologists to perform special procedures where needed. This shortage of radiologists stimulated the role extension of radiographers. Radiography role extension has been realised in many countries where radiographers are performing procedures that are not in their scope of practice, like intravenous injections, barium enemas and even reporting on radiographs. In Malawi no feasibility study has been undertaken to explore different areas in which radiographers can extend their roles. One such role is performing barium enema procedures. Based on the conceptualisation of the research problem, the study question that was answered is: ‘What are the attitudes and perceptions of Malawian radiographers towards performing barium enema procedures as a role extension?’ The aim of this quantitative, descriptive research approach was to explore the attitudes and perceptions of Malawian radiographers towards performing barium enema procedures as an extension of their current role, consequently enhancing their career pathways. A quantitative, descriptive research approach was employed for this study. Radiographers from the four selected referral central hospitals in Malawi were invited to participate in this study. The population for this study included registered radiographers from the selected hospitals in Malawi. A purposeful sampling method was used to select 81 participants. Eighty-one questionnaires were administered and 45 were returned, which is a 56% response rate. Data was collected using an adapted questionnaire based on the reference from existing questionnaires. The questionnaire used both closed and open-ended questions. Data was analyzed through descriptive statistical data using IBM SPSS. Descriptive statistical data analysis is often used to describe and summarize the basic features of the data in the study. The data was presented in frequencies, percentages, and chi-squares. The findings of the study suggested that there was a statistical significance in radiographer perceptions in the two main categories surveyed. Radiographer perceptions remain mere static in Malawi whilst radiographers are still regarded as v assistants at barium enema procedures. The insight gained in this study will contribute to the lack of available quantitative data related to perceptions and attitudes of radiographers towards performing barium enema procedures. This study was limited by the instrument used (questionnaire), as it was adopted from other existing studies, hence it could not generate real innovations to the researcher as well as the results gathered. The study focussed on only central hospitals, one at each region of Malawi, hence it was not possible to generalise the results of other hospitals.
M.Tech. (Radiography)