ESTRO 2024 - Abstract Book

S2676

Interdisciplinary - Education in radiation therapy

ESTRO 2024

The purpose of this doctoral study was to explore the experiences of radiotherapy students from Black, Asian, and ethnically diverse backgrounds in the placement and university setting, gaining student views on how these experiences impact their success and perceptions of their future profession.

Material/Methods:

Undergraduate students self-identifying as coming from Black, Asian, and ethnically diverse backgrounds studying radiotherapy were invited to participate in an online survey. Survey questions were generated via a workshop with five therapeutic radiography student collaborators (self-identifying as coming from ethnically diverse backgrounds themselves) at a single UK HE institution (Codd, Ramlaul & Trivedi 2023).

A descriptive analysis of the closed questions and thematic analysis of the free text responses utilising NVivo was carried out.

Results:

Results indicated a broadly positive placement and university learning experience with students generally feeling a sense of belonging at their academic institutions and clinical placement sites. However, experiences of witnessing and being subjected to microaggressions and overt racism in the placement setting were recounted. A range of perceptions around success as being attributed to both intrinsic and extrinsic factors was seen, with pressure to succeed felt to come from a variety of sources, in some instances impacting mental health. Students reported their experiences in placement had in general, made them feel enthused about joining the profession and were resoundingly positive about seeing therapeutic radiographers who reflected their ethnicity in senior and advanced practice roles.

Conclusion:

Eradicating incidents of racism and microaggressions in clinical placement sites is critical, with the development of proactive, anti-racist strategies. Further research highlighting underrepresented student voices, to embed their narratives within clinical education initiatives is central to reducing the awarding gap.

Keywords: awards gap, student experience, ethnically diverse

References:

Advance HE. 2020b. Equality in Higher Education, Student Statistical Report 2020. Advance HE. https:// www.advance-he.ac.uk/knowledge-hub/equalityhigher-education-statistical-report-2020.

Broecke S, Nicholls T. 2007 Ethnicity and Degree Attainment. Department for Education and Skills. https://dera.ioe.ac.uk/6846/1/RW92.pdf

Codd, L. & Ramlaul, A., Trivedi, D. Jun 2023. Black, Asian, and ethnically diverse student experience in therapeutic radiography undergraduate education – student collaboration in research design (oral proffered paper). UK Imaging and Oncology (UKIO) Liverpool, UK.