RADIOGRAPHY

Radiography



Radiography

Chapter 1: Introduction

Introduction

The continuing problem of the recruitment and retention of staff in the allied health professions (AHPs) and nursing within the National Health Service (NHS) has been highlighted consistently in the literature over the last 10 years [1, 2, 3 and 4]. Despite this attention, the NHS is still struggling to recruit staff in these areas. The NHS Plan announced that by the year 2004, 6500 more therapists and other health professionals would be employed in the NHS. This increased demand clearly requires more therapists, including radiographers, even if there were already enough therapists to fill current vacancies. However, a survey of UK therapy radiography schools highlighted a shortfall of 22 therapy radiography students for the 1999 intake, rising to 46 for the 2000 intake.

In terms of employment vacancy levels, shortfalls in radiography are also reported. In April 1999, there was an 11% shortfall in the number of therapy radiographers, representing 167 whole time equivalent vacancies spread throughout the UK . At the same time, only 131 therapy radiographers were expected to graduate that year, which meant that even before attrition, 22% of the vacancies would go unfilled. Similarly, in a survey conducted by the Society of Radiographers, the situation for diagnostic radiography in 2000 suggested a 6% vacancy rate for diagnostic radiography and 11% for therapy radiography . Furthermore, a study using the 1991 Census 10% database found that 20% of qualified radiographers were working outside the profession and 14% were economically inactive .

Consequently, it is now vital that the NHS is able to identify strategies to change its recruitment patterns and expand its potential applicant and returner pools, particularly with regard to radiography. To address this issue, a team from The Business School at Loughborough University was commissioned by the Department of Health to carry out research into the ways in which the NHS is perceived as an employer by potential staff. The 2-year project, which commenced in September 2000, focuses specifically on the radiography, physiotherapy and nursing professions.

Rational

Recruitment and retention has been a problem, radiography has evolved from years past and the types of people entering the profession have also changed. It is therefore important to find out whether or not people still have the same views about radiography or if perceptions have evolved in line with the profession. The results of this can help workforce planning, recruitment, retention, open up new areas for research, and in the long term help professional image and identity as a radiographer, improving self esteem and self worth and enabling a better happier workforce to care for the nations sick.

Aim & Objectives

Aim of this research is to find out whether perceptions in radiography have changed and find out what the public think about radiography - ascertain how much they know and whether or not this is a true reflection of the career.

Research questions

To identify the factors that determines the attractiveness of radiography as a career choice and of the National Health Service (NHS) as an employer to potential ...