Abstract
A Bachelor’s degree in radiography is a programme that requires students to study theory at a higher education institution (HEI) and undergo clinical training at an accredited training facility. Clinical educators (CEs) are required to promote learning in the workplace-based learning environment and integrate theory into clinical practice through clinical knowledge and skills. A CE can have a positive or negative influence on students, depending on their clinical and interpersonal attributes. Extensive research has been conducted internationally justifying the need for certain attributes in CEs in other health professions. However, there is a paucity of literature on radiography students regarding the attributes they require of CEs. The attributes required of CEs for MIRS at the HEI have not been identified.
The purpose of this qualitative, exploratory descriptive and contextual study was to explore and describe the perceptions of MIRS students regarding the attributes of a CE. The research study population purposefully included all fourth-year MIRS students registered in 2020 at the HEI, from all four disciplines. The data was collected through in-person individual face-to-face and individual online face-to-face in-depth interviews, and a total of 18 participants were interviewed. The researcher applied the thematic analysis process using ATLAS.ti.8 to facilitate and manage the qualitative analysis of data. The research process involved the use of inductive reasoning to find themes and deductive reasoning to associate the themes to propose recommendations.
The attributes of CEs for the implementation of the degree programme at the HEI were identified. Furthermore, the study confirmed that CEs require certain personality traits to create a productive learning environment. Promoting a professional self-image to facilitate professional interactions and relationships, having certain professional attributes and being a role model for students were the attributes highlighted. Recommendations were proposed to enhance the effectiveness of the workplace-based learning experience for the students from the research findings and to support CEs in radiography.