Professional socialisation of diagnostic radiography students: influence on global engagement
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64775/ciwil.2025.55045Keywords:
Diagnostic radiography, Health professions education, Medical imaging, Radiation technology, Professional engagement, Work-integrated learningAbstract
This research aimed to explore the professional socialisation of diagnostic radiography students in a clinical learning environment and how this could influence global engagement. Professional socialisation is a process of acquiring and internalising the competencies and values of a chosen profession. Health professions education involves work integrated education (WIE) and work integrated learning (WIL), to intentionally integrate academic and clinical learning, and the professional socialisation of students takes place in both learning environments. However, the clinical learning environment dominates with regards to its significance for professional socialisation, and therefore, the focus of this study was on the diagnostic radiography clinical learning environment. A qualitative research design was employed. Data was collected from final year diagnostic radiography students and clinical diagnostic radiographers through focus groups and one-on-one interviews. Thematic analysis resulted in the generation of three themes. Effective professional socialisation is essential for the development of a diagnostic radiography community that is well prepared for engagements with patients and other healthcare professionals, locally and globally. This study provided insights into important aspects of professional socialisation, which will assist with the development of guidelines for the facilitation of effective professional socialisation of diagnostic radiography students with a focus on extracting the learning on WIL for enabling global engagement.
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