Radiography students' perceptions and experiences of their clinical placements: a qualitative systematic review

Clinical placements provide opportunities for radiography students to apply theory into practice. Several primary research studies on the perceptions and experiences of radiography students regarding their clinical placements have been conducted. However, no study has systematically brought these studies together to provide a template for educators to develop a set of clinical supervision strategies that are grounded on evidence. The aim of this study was, therefore, to systematically review the evidence relating to radiography students‟ perceptions and experiences of their placements. In achieving this, a qualitative systematic review was conducted. Electronic databases, radiography and radiotherapy journals, and grey literature were searched for relevant primary studies. Data extraction was performed using the Valderas‟s extraction form and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) checklist for qualitative studies to critically appraise the studies. Eight themes emerged following thematic data analysis: clinical learning environment, theory- practice gap, hands-on practice, feedback on clinical performance, teaching and learning of professionalism, emotional aspect of working with patients, qualities of an effective and an ineffective clinical supervisor, and the relationship between the schools of radiography and clinical departments. Factors related to these themes positively or negatively impacted the students‟ learning process. In conclusion, there are many lessons to be learnt in continuing to improve the quality of radiography students‟ clinical placements. Stakeholders should work together to create a conducive clinical learning environment, whereby radiography students can develop their knowledge, skills and attitudes to become professional radiographers. This can be achieved through developing educational strategies based on evidence, such as provided in this systematic review.