Abstract
Background: South Africa (SA), in 2021, experienced a wave of civil unrest following political
events that led to mass looting and the destruction of property. Civil unrests, among other
disruptions, have been seen to cause ripple effects on healthcare education, particularly for
radiography students who undergo work integrated learning within hospitals and universities,
even during these times of unrest.
Aim: This study aimed to explore and describe the undergraduate diagnostic radiography
students’ experience of the civil unrest that occurred in SA in 2021.
Setting: The study was conducted across five universities in South Africa, offering the
diagnostic radiography programme.
Methods: A qualitative, interpretive phenomenological design was employed as it enabled the
researchers to facilitate focus group interviews to gain insight into the lived experiences of the
students during this time.
Results: Four themes emerged from the study data, namely: (1) Negative effects on students’
emotional and psychological well-being, (2) Academic and clinical support mechanisms during
disruptions, (3) The influence of disruptions on clinical training, (4) Recommendations to support
students for future disruptions.
Conclusion: The participants from this study described the negative effects that the civil
unrest had on their emotional and mental well-being. There is a need for increased support
mechanisms during times of disruptions from universities across South Africa.
Contribution: The findings highlight the ripple effects that disruptions, such as civil unrests,
have on radiography students. This can assist universities to relook at their institutional
support structures, in order to enhance the current support given to students across universities
in times of disruptions.