Abstract
M.Tech. (Radiography)
Radiographer vacancies have grown steadily both nationally and internationally over the past decade (Probst & Griffiths, 2009:146). Current literature has responded to this trend by focusing on concepts such as job satisfaction and retention strategies amongst radiographers (Grönroos & Pajukari, 2010; Probst & Griffiths, 2009; Okaro, Eze & Ohagwu, 2010; Williamson & Mundy, 2010; Probst, Griffiths, Adams & Hill, 2012; Hutton & Eddy, 2013). This in turn leads to an increase in radiographer vacancies and questionable levels of job satisfaction which have a negative impact on patient care received (Coomber & Barriball, 2007:297). Therefore, it is of the utmost importance to investigate the factors that contribute to the declining numbers of practising radiographers.
The radiographic profession is perceived as a struggling emergent profession with a low professional status due to its low public profile (Sim & Radloff, 2009:204). This in turn leads to a lack of recognition within the health care profession which affects the confidence and self-esteem of radiographers. In addition to this, the absence of opportunities and career growth within the radiography profession impacts negatively on recruitment and retention (Sim & Radloff, 2009:204; Lawrence, Poggenpoel & Myburgh, 2011:4, Woodford, 2006:324).
The purpose of this qualitative, phenomenological study was to explore and describe the lived experiences of radiographers that work in Gauteng’s private and government hospitals, with the aim of developing guidelines that could assist in the retention of radiographers in Gauteng.
The target population for this study comprised information-rich practising and non-practising qualified diagnostic radiographers. Purposeful sampling was used to select 19 participants.
Data was collected utilising in-depth focus group interviews and reflective field notes made by the researcher throughout the research process. The data was analysed by means of an open coding process as described by Creswell (2013:196). The research process initially started inductively during the analysis of the data, but deductive...