“Relevant and Current”: Radiation Therapy Students' Perception of Clinical Credibility in the CSRT as Lecturer

Abstract

PurposeTo examine how radiation therapy students' perceive the clinical credibility of the clinical specialist radiation therapist who is serving as a lecturer. This lecturer is a clinically based radiation therapy staff member. MethodsThird-year radiation therapy students (n=16) attended a workshop designed and delivered by the breast-site clinical specialist radiation therapist. A web-based survey was distributed to all students. The survey contained a series of statements that the participants were asked to rate along a 4-point Likert scale. In addition, there was one open-ended question asking “How would you define clinical credibility?” The responses for each question were collated and analyzed for content and theme. ResultsFifteen of the possible 16 students participated. All of the participants viewed the clinical specialist radiation therapist as clinically credible and that clinical credibility added value to the content being delivered. As well, 53.8% agree and 46.2% somewhat agree that the learning experience would be different if the lecture was delivered by someone non-clinical. ConclusionFindings from the study indicate that radiation therapy students view current clinical experience as important and relevant, impacting their perception of clinical credibility in the lecturer. The results support further development of lecturing opportunities for clinically based staff.