Matthews K, Krstic J, Anderson N, Wright C
Department of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences, Monash University, Australia; Monash Centre for Scholarship in Health Education, Monash University, Australia; Department of Radiation Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Australia.
Department of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences, Monash University, Australia; Department of Radiation Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Australia.
Radiography (Lond). 2025 Jan;31(1):187-193. doi: 10.1016/j.radi.2024.11.012. Epub 2024 Nov 26.
The transition to qualified practice for health practitioner graduates can be a challenging experience. Supportive transition to practice programs for graduates are typical in nursing, however they are less common in allied health. Investigations into the transition to practice experience of radiation therapist (RT) graduates specifically have been limited. This study aimed to examine the transition to practice experiences of RT graduates in Australia during their first ten months of qualified practice, with the intention to inform the development of fit for purpose transition to practice programs.
A longitudinal qualitative study was undertaken employing a constructivist grounded theory methodology. Data collection included an online focus group with RT graduates within their first three months of practice; recording of longitudinal audio diaries for six months; and an individual online interview at ten months of qualified practice.
Seven RT graduates participated in the study during 2022-2023. Central to the transitional process was 'Becoming the Radiation Therapist' where graduates worked towards assimilating their emerging professional identity. This process was influenced by 'Fitting in' to the team; 'Navigating expectations' of work and the workplace; 'Being supported by experienced others'; and 'Building confidence' through validating experiences.
The transitional experience of the RT graduate was influenced by their internal identity work, and by the social and structural mechanisms within their workplace. A transition to practice program should include supportive mentoring, intentional exposure to a breadth of experiences, and clear expectations to assist the RT graduate in navigating this challenging period.
The transitional experience can be difficult, and supportive mechanisms throughout the first year of graduate practice would aid the emerging professional identity of the RT graduate and their role within the workplace.
健康从业者毕业生向合格实践的过渡可能是一段具有挑战性的经历。为毕业生提供支持性的实践过渡计划在护理领域很常见，但在联合健康领域则不太普遍。专门针对放射治疗师（RT）毕业生实践过渡经历的调查一直有限。本研究旨在考察澳大利亚RT毕业生在合格实践的前十个月中的实践过渡经历，以便为制定适用的实践过渡计划提供参考。
采用建构主义扎根理论方法进行了一项纵向定性研究。数据收集包括在实践的前三个月对RT毕业生进行在线焦点小组访谈；记录为期六个月的纵向音频日记；以及在合格实践十个月时进行个人在线访谈。
2022 - 2023年期间，七名RT毕业生参与了该研究。过渡过程的核心是“成为放射治疗师”，毕业生们努力融入他们新出现的职业身份。这个过程受到“融入”团队、“应对”工作和工作场所的期望、“得到有经验者的支持”以及通过验证经验“建立信心”的影响。
RT毕业生的过渡经历受到其内部身份塑造工作以及工作场所的社会和结构机制的影响。实践过渡计划应包括支持性的指导、有意让毕业生接触广泛的经验以及明确的期望，以帮助RT毕业生度过这一具有挑战性的时期。
过渡经历可能很困难，在毕业生实践的第一年提供支持机制将有助于RT毕业生形成新的职业身份以及他们在工作场所中的角色。
