An evaluation of clinical placements learning on in radiography

Abstract

SUMMARY This paper describes research on specialist clinical placements in four hospitals. The study explored radiography students' and clinical supervisors' observations and judgements of learning, aiming to evaluate learning in specialist imaging placements. Such placements taken together comprise 70% of clinical experience in the third year. This study evaluates the learning on four clinical placements. The methods used were (1) a diary in which students recorded significant learning events and (2) questionnaires to students and clinical supervisors, who responded on a seven-point Likert scale. Students reported positive learning experiences on placements mainly in human and emotional terms and that their theoretical knowledge was inadequate. Supervisors reported that students had insufficient knowledge and were ill-prepared for placements. This study found little evidence that reflection was promoted, or that reflective learning occurred, in these clinical placements. While teaching activities were didactic, students found that the diary promoted reflection on learning.