Open AccessDoctoral profile of the medical radiation sciences: a baseline for Australia and New Zealand
Author(s) -
Ekpo Ernest U.,
Snaith Beverly,
Harris Martine A.,
McEntee Mark F.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
journal of medical radiation sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.484
H-Index - 18
eISSN - 2051-3909
pISSN - 2051-3895
DOI - 10.1002/jmrs.231
Subject(s) - demographics , referral , baseline (sea) , medical education , population , medicine , library science , family medicine , psychology , sociology , political science , demography , environmental health , computer science , law
Abstract Introduction Research is critical to evidence‐based practice, and the rapid developments in technology provide opportunities to innovate and improve practice. Little is known about the research profile of the medical radiation science ( MRS ) profession in Australia and New Zealand ( NZ ). This study provides a baseline of their doctoral activity. Methods A cross‐sectional survey of MRS professionals in Australia and NZ holding a doctorate or undertaking doctoral studies, was performed using an online tool (Bristol Online Survey ® , Bristol, UK ). A chain‐referral sampling technique was adopted for data collection. An email invitation with a link to the survey was generated and distributed through email and social media. The survey contained questions related to participant demographics, doctoral status, qualification route, funding and employment. Results There were 63 responses to the survey comprising 50.8% diagnostic radiographers ( DR s; n = 32), 23.8% radiation therapists ( RT s; n = 15), with the remaining 25.4% ( n = 16) equally split between sonographers and nuclear medicine technologists ( NMT s). A total of 40 (63.5%) of respondents had completed their doctoral qualification. In NZ , only DR s held a doctoral award constituting 0.3% of DR s and 0.2% of the total registered MRS population. In Australia, there was a greater proportion of doctoral NMT s ( n = 8/1098; 0.7%) than RT s ( n = 15/2394; 0.6%) and DR s ( n = 27/12,001; 0.2%). Conclusion Similar to other countries, findings show a very small percentage of doctoral MRS professionals in Australia and NZ . Strategies to engage and support individuals in research, up to and beyond doctoral study, need to be embedded in practice.