Radiography students' satisfaction with clinical training at Makerere University

Abstract

The acquisition of quality clinical experience within a supportive and pedagogically adjusted clinical learning environment is a significant concern for educational institutions. The quality of clinical learning usually reflects the quality of the curriculum structure. The assessment of the clinical settings as learning environment is a significant concern within the contemporary radiography education. The radiography students’ satisfaction is considered as an important factor of such assessment, contributing to any potential reforms in order to optimize the learning activities and achievements within clinical settings. The purpose of the study was to examine the satisfaction levels of radiography students with clinical training at Makerere University. A cross-sectional survey design was used; the study was conducted at Makerere University on third and fourth radiography students. A sample size of 42 students was used. All data was collected using a questionnaire and descriptive statistics was used to analyze it. Data collected was represented in form of pie charts, bar graphs and tables. After data analysis, the study identified the following challenges faced by the students and these included lack of allocation of the students to ward or theatre rooms (63.2%), and Dental imaging rooms (64.9%). The allocated time to each of the imaging modality rooms such as MRI, CT, mammography, dental and ward/theatre had (100%) each and this was grossly inadequate. Absence or inadequate number(s) of qualified radiographers, lack of Knowledge update (Seminars/presentations), and distance from accommodation to the hospital had a distribution of (27%), 2(51.4%) and (56.8%) respectively. The research revealed, that less than half (13.5%) of the students were of the opinion that clinical posting was very educating regardless of the challenges faced. These challenges include, inadequate allocation of students to different wards (ward radiography), inadequate time allotted to some of the imaging modality rooms, absence or inadequate qualified radiographers, lack of Knowledge update (Seminars/presentations), and distanced to accommodation.