Perception of final year radiography students towards the proposed six-year Doctor of Radiography/Medical Imaging program

Emmanuel Fiagbedzi; Philip Nii Gorleku; Savanna Nyarko; Bernard Frimpong; Alberta Adjei; Abel Nkrumah

doi:10.7577/radopen.4758

Authors

Emmanuel Fiagbedzi University of Cape Coast, College of Health and Allied Sciences, Department of Medical Imaging Technology and Sonography, Cape Coast, Ghana. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3444-5211
Philip Nii Gorleku University of Cape Coast, College of Health and Allied Sciences, Department of Medical Imaging Technology and Sonography, Cape Coast, Ghana
Savanna Nyarko University of Cape Coast, College of Health and Allied Sciences, Department of Medical Imaging Technology and Sonography, Cape Coast, Ghana.
Bernard Frimpong University of Cape Coast, College of Health and Allied Sciences, Department of Medical Imaging Technology and Sonography, Cape Coast, Ghana.
Alberta Adjei Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, School of Allied Health Science, Department of Medical Diagnostics, Kumasi-Ghana.
Abel Nkrumah University of Cape Coast, College of Health and Allied Sciences, Department of Medical Imaging Technology and Sonography, Cape Coast, Ghana. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6611-6311

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7577/radopen.4758

Keywords:

Doctoral degree program, Medical Imaging students, Perception, Radiographers

Abstract

Introduction: Medical imaging or radiography as a profession has evolved considerably. As a result, the radiography/medical imaging program would need to be upgraded to keep up with the changes. The purpose of this study was to find out how final-year radiography students feel about the proposed six-year Doctor of Radiography/Medical Imaging program.

Methods: From June to October 2021, a cross-sectional study of final-year radiography students was undertaken at the University of Cape Coast. All students received pilot tested questionnaires through email. There were 29 questions in all, grouped into three sections A, B and C. Data was analyzed statistically with the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25.

Results: This survey drew a total of 83 students, with 62 males (75%) and 21 females (25%) participating. The mean of all the listed items in section B was 1.78 while C was 1.77. This indicated strong optimistic about the proposed program's ability to generate high-quality, exceptional and diverse imaging specialists.

Conclusion: The final year students had a favorable perception toward the proposed six-year Doctor of Radiography/Medical Imaging program. As a result, they are confident that the program would result in more flexible imaging experts than the four-year bachelor's degree.

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