Abstract

IntroductionThe rationale for this study was to ascertain the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on Undergraduate B.Sc (Hons) Diagnostic Radiography students at the University of Hertfordshire in the UK. This would provide an ideal opportunity for students to reflect on their experience and indicate if they required additional support from the University.MethodsAn online anonymous cross‐sectional survey was deployed to all year groups (n = 283) during the first nationwide lockdown in May 2020, eliciting qualitative responses on questions about the effect of the pandemic; emotions experienced; support required and consideration of their choice of a career in the health sector.ResultsTwo hundred and one students responded to the survey, with many having experienced the illness or loss of a loved one. Trying to balance family commitments and study was a concern to some students, as well as struggling with the financial burden of job losses or furlough. Many students commented that educational support was a requirement with the move to online teaching and assessment. The main focus of student responses was the emotions that they had experienced, many of which were negative. Anxiety and fear were commonly expressed feelings, along with sadness and feelings of isolation. A small number of students reported feeling grateful, happy and relieved. An overwhelming majority of respondents commented that they were proud to be healthcare students and they were resolute in wanting to continue the course and join the frontline of the NHS workforce.ConclusionSome students have been deeply affected by their experiences of the pandemic, and University support mechanisms should be refined to better assist with their ongoing challenges.

Highlights

  • The rationale for this study was to ascertain the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Undergraduate B.Sc (Hons) Diagnostic Radiography students at the University of Hertfordshire in the UK

  • This study aims to explore the impact the pandemic has had on the lives and the education of Diagnostic Radiography students by undertaking a qualitative survey of students enrolled on the 3-year Radiography programme at the University of Hertfordshire, in May 2020

  • The majority of respondents are aged between 18 and 29 years old (80%) with 15% aged 30–39; 3.5% aged between 40 and 49, and there were two respondents over 50. When asked where they were resident during the COVID-19 period, 121 students responded with ‘home’ which gave little in terms of geographical demographics

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Summary

Introduction

The rationale for this study was to ascertain the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Undergraduate B.Sc (Hons) Diagnostic Radiography students at the University of Hertfordshire in the UK. This would provide an ideal opportunity for students to reflect on their experience and indicate if they required additional support from the University. In March 2020, the government advised the UK population on social distancing measures in order to slow down the spread of the disease in the UK As this strategy was not reducing COVID-19 cases, the government advised that the UK would be placed under lockdown from 23 March 2020.3–5.

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