Thesis (MTech (Radiography))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2006 / This research was performed to obtain consensus of opinion on the clinical competencies required of newly qualified diagnostic radiographers in South Africa in an attempt to improve alignment between educational practices, assessment practices and workplace requirements. Methods: The Delphi technique, an effective group communication process was employed to recruit a panel of experts representing the radiography profession in South Africa. Three rounds of structured questionnaires together with controlled feedback were sent to the panel members for comment. The same four point Likert scale was employed in all three rounds of the questionnaire. Consensus of opinion was predetermined at >75% agreement for each clinical competency. Results: Response rates for rounds I, 2 and 3 were: 84% (n=49), 78% (n=45) and 69% (n = 40) respectively. Of the 109 clinical competencies listed in the first round questionnaire, 94 (86%) achieved consensus as being necessary clinical competencies required of newly qualified diagnostic radiographers. The remainders were further investigated in terms of whether they should be excluded or included in role extension possibilities. An additional 22 clinical competencies were also suggested by the panel in round I and further developed in subsequent rounds

Thesis (DTech (Radiography))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2005. / The most significant changes and challenges to radiography in South Africa are rapid technological changes in the fields of imaging and radiation oncology, the changing status of radiographers as members of the multi-disciplinary health care team and the socioeconomic impact of post-apartheid ideology, policy and legislation with regard to both higher education and health provision. This altered landscape in which academic and clinical work is accomplished has impacted on radiography education. Curricula must change in order to equip graduates to work effectively in the modern workplace and the Integrated Learning Curriculum (ILC) is one such curriculum response. The traditional radiography curriculum of connecting subject-based theory education with interspersed clinical experience where there is reliance on students connecting or applying the subject content taught in the classroom to clinical practice was challenged. The ILC planned to enhance the integration of teaching, learning and assessment in the academy and workplace in a transforming South Africa. This study took advantage of the opportunity to capture data and learning from this curriculum renewal. The research was guided by the questions: I) What is the nature of radiographic knowledge? 2) What curricular options would facilitate radiographic knowledge? 3) What would enable or constrain successful curriculum implementation? 4) Is the ILC an appropriate curriculum for Radiography? This study facilitated a 'layered' understanding of integration and integrated curriculum through exploration of the concept 'integration'. This was achieved through; a national survey that investigated opinion on the status of radiography education in South Africa in 2003; interpretation of the context within which the ILC was located; a search of relevant literature; and a case study that gathered data over a three-year period. Findings support the notion that the workplace is a key influence on higher education curricula and that an integrated learning curriculum suits radiography.

M.Tech. (Diagnostic Radiography) / Radiology is a profession in crisis and worldwide statistics support this statement. By addressing the shortage of radiologists, this crisis could be alleviated. One possible solution is to train qualified radiographers in South Africa (SA) to adequately apply pattern recognition (PR) criteria to the appendicular skeletal system, a gap already identified by Williams, (2006, 2009). This training gap has been investigated on postgraduate level by means of two studies performed by Williams (2006:14) and Williams (2009:15). However, no studies could be found indicating that the gap in training has been investigated and addressed at undergraduate level. The aim of this study is therefore to compare the PR skills among 3rd year radiography students at UJ and CUT on plain radiographs of the skeletal system. Competency will be indicated by test results of 70% and above. The study will take the form of a sequential design within a mixed method approach. Since the researcher aims to utilize a combination of quantitative and qualitative data collection methods and aspires to elaborate on initial findings, this approach is deemed appropriate Results of this study were adequately supported by statistical analysis to conclude that the participants representing the two Universities were statistically similar allowing generalization of results to the population of undergraduate 3rd year radiography students in South Africa. The majority of participants (91.2%) have access to pathology radiographs compared to 72.1% with access to relevant textbooks with most participants utilizing available resources for study purposes. All lecturers are approachable by the participants and all identified PR teaching strategies are effective to a selected degree; Research revealed that South African undergraduate diagnostic radiography students are not able to accurately apply PR criteria at the end of their third year. There is therefore a need for more in-depth PR training in the South African undergraduate diagnostic radiography curriculum.

Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the Master of Health Sciences in Radiography, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2016. / Introduction: Continuing Professional Development (CPD) has been introduced as a means to ensure that professionals continuously update their knowledge and skills. In addition, CPD has become a mandatory requirement by the Health Professionals Council of South Africa (HPCSA). However despite CPD being mandatory, health professionals nationally and internationally alike have experienced numerous challenges obtaining the required CPD points/hours. Some of these challenges included lack of awareness of the CPD requirements, lack of available activities, lack of employer support, lack of funding and a lack of time to participate. No studies have been conducted amongst radiographers working in the province of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), to determine if they are affected by similar challenges hence the need for this study. Purpose The purpose of this study was to identify the opinions, level of awareness, participation, and challenges related to CPD compliance by radiographers in KwaZulu-Natal, and to ascertain their suggestions for improvement to CPD practices in order to make recommendations to the HPCSA. Method A quantitative, descriptive research approach using a questionnaire with both open-ended and closed-ended questions was utilized. Radiographers from all four disciplines in Radiography, working in the province of KwaZulu-Natal were included in this study. A five point Likert scale was used for most of the closed questions. The open ended questions allowed respondents to express their opinions freely. The quantitative data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23.0. The inferential statistics included bivariate correlations and Chi-square testing. Open ended questions were analyzed by means of thematic analysis. Results Two hundred and ninety two questionnaires were administered and one hundred and forty six were returned which resulted in a 50% response rate. The mean age of respondents were 31.3 years. The majority of respondents were females (85.6%). Most of the respondents were diagnostic radiographers (80.8%) hence 59.6% were shift workers. Fifty percent of the respondents were employed in the public health sector. Respondent’s acknowledged the importance of CPD however majority indicated engagement due to the mandatory requirements by the council. The most common challenges identified were lack of funding and time. Suggestions for having formal polices in place and allocation for financial support were recommended. A number of respondents suggested having an online database for the systematic recording of CPD points in order to improve the audit process. In this study relationships between different variables were tested. It was noted that a progression in rank resulted in a greater level of agreement that CPD does improve professional competence. The infrequency of CPD engagement was directly affected by the difficulties associated with evidence and record keeping of CPD activities. The lack of funding was a greater challenge amongst the public health sector employees as opposed to the private sector. It was also noted that a lack of employer support affected how often respondents engaged in CPD activities hence support from employers was deemed crucial. Conclusion Radiographers working in KwaZulu - Natal were experiencing numerous CPD challenges. Suggestions were made to overcome these challenges as well as improving the auditing system by the HPCSA. / M

The ways in which knowledge is constituted in Higher Education in South Africa today needs to take into account the historical diversity of learners’ academic and literacy competencies. The thesis begins by considering the ways in which, historically, many learners in Higher Education have been under prepared for the challenges of studying complex disciplines through the medium of English, which is often their second or third additional language. It also considers the sometimes inappropriate response of Higher Education to the plight of these learners and the present and potential role of language specialists working in collaboration with disciplinary specialists to support these learners. In this ethnographic research, I use an ontological metatheory, critical realism, as my analytical lens. Critical realism is an appropriate analytical lens for exploring and gaining insight into the possible causal mechanisms that generate the stratified and often inscrutable nature of social reality, including the role of language and discourse in education. I employ a case study design to explore the role of discourse in lecturers and clinical radiographers’ constitution of the knowledge of entry level Radiography learners at the Groote Schuur campus of Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT). Taking discourse as my unit of analysis, I develop a model of knowledge constitution based on a Hallidayan framework (1978). This model comprises two contexts of culture (Higher Education and Health Care) within which are embedded two contexts of situation (the university classroom and a clinical radiography workplace). In these contexts, I focus on how lecturers and clinical radiographers constitute radiographic knowledge through the field, tenor and mode of their discourse. My research sheds light on learners’ construal of various aspects of this process of knowledge constitution, and I consider implications for Radiography teaching and learning. I conclude that, because of the dual contexts in which the learners’ knowledge is constituted, literacy requirements in the two contexts are quite different. For this reason, learners may often be unmotivated to enhance their literacies, particularly in reading and writing; yet, in the interests of the future growth of the profession, the latter will be required of them as practitioners who conduct research and publish. I argue that the real empowerment of Radiography learners thus lies in their lecturers’ agency: there is a need for them to implement certain practices that will shape the learners’ identity, not only as clinical practitioners, but as researchers and writers. In doing this, they will ensure that the learners’ potential is realised and they have the capacity to make meaningful contributions to the growth of the future radiography profession.

The purpose of the project was to design a curriculum guideline for educators to teach computed radiography. This project can be used as a stand-alone course, or integrated into existing radiologic technology courses.