Abstract
Radiotherapy plays a crucial role in the management of cancer patients and can be used alone or with surgery or chemotherapy. It involves the use of ionising radiation to kill cancer cells and is administered by radiotherapists. Becoming a radiotherapist in South Africa requires the completion of a four-year degree at an accredited university and registering with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) upon graduation. Limited research exists on the experiences of radiotherapists transitioning from students to qualified radiotherapists in South Africa, despite the high demand for their services and shortages of radiotherapists in public radiotherapy facilities. Exploring and understanding this transition can provide valuable insights to facilitate it.
This qualitative phenomenological study explored and described radiotherapists’ experiences transitioning from being students to becoming qualified radiotherapists in South Africa. The study’s objectives were to explore and describe the experiences of student radiotherapists as they transition to qualified radiotherapists, and to formulate strategies to facilitate this transition. The research population included qualified radiotherapists who completed the Bachelor of Radiation Therapy qualification at the University of Johannesburg in 2019, 2020 and 2021 and were registered with the HPCSA. Data were collected through individual, in-depth unstructured interviews using Zoom and mobile phones with nine participants. Participants were interviewed until data saturation was reached. Data were analysed using Braun and Clarke’s six-phased thematic analysis approach. The study adhered to standards of trustworthiness and ethical considerations.
The thematic analysis of the collected data led to the development of two main themes: encountering the workplace as qualified radiotherapists and receiving support during transition. Strategies for facilitating the transition from a student radiotherapist to a newly qualified radiotherapist were developed, along with recommendations for radiotherapy practice, education, and further research.