Radiography
Volume 15, Issue 1 , Pages 26-33, February 2009

A new graduate education program in radiation therapy

  • Rachael Beldham-Collins

      Affiliations

    • Radiation Oncology Network, Department of Radiation Oncology, Westmead Hospital, PO Box 533, Wentworthville NSW 2145, Australia
    • School of Medical Radiation Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Sydney, PO Box 170, Lidcombe, NSW 1825, Australia
    • ,
  • Danielle Milinkovic

      Affiliations

    • School of Medical Radiation Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Sydney, PO Box 170, Lidcombe, NSW 1825, Australia
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Tel.: +61 2 9351 9517; fax: +61 2 9351 9146.

Received 22 September 2004; received in revised form 20 June 2007; accepted 1 July 2007.

Abstract 

Purpose

The evaluation of the Radiation Oncology Network's (RON) in house professional development year (PDY) support program was implemented to determine the appropriate teaching, learning and transfer of learning strategies that assist the newly practicing radiation therapists' transition into the busy working environment. As the AIR program saw little clinical support offered to participating new graduates and thus a need for further educational support was felt.

The RON support program was initially introduced as the clinical education support component of the NSW PDY program that was introduced in 1995 by the Australian Institute of Radiography.

Method

Following the facilitation of the RON PDY program over a twelve month period, qualitative feedback was obtained using a focus group consisting of new graduates from the program. Two moderators facilitated the focus group: one moderator facilitated the discussion while the second moderator transcribed it. The graduate practitioners were asked a number of questions related to the teaching and learning strategies employed by the program as well as the structure of the program.

Results/discussion

The responses were analysed into the following themes: teaching and learning strategies, transfer of learning, facilitation and future learning needs. Overall the graduate practitioners found the program nurtured their skill, knowledge and attitudes appropriately at such a critical stage in their career.

Keywords: New graduate, Transfer of learning, Radiation therapy, Workplace learning

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PII: S1078-8174(07)00059-4

doi:10.1016/j.radi.2007.07.001

Radiography
Volume 15, Issue 1 , Pages 26-33, February 2009

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