The journey to advanced practice and skeletal trauma reporting; an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of preparation for the role

Abstract

IntroductionThe paper, derived from a professional doctorate thesis explored the perceptions and experiences of diagnostic radiographers who had acquired a post graduate qualification affording them the opportunity to report skeletal trauma images. MethodsA qualitative approach was deemed appropriate to answer the research question and Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was selected as the research methodology. The two-phase qualitative research study included a homogenous group of radiographer practitioners (n = 12). Phase 1 thematically analysed personal reflective diaries completed during final year of study. Phase 2 included one-one, semi-structured interviews which were recorded, transcribed verbatim and reviewed using the IPA six stage thematic analysis. Researcher reflexivity was employed as were issues of ethics, permission and quality assessment. ResultsReflective diary themes informed focus for one-one, semi-structured interviews. IPA of interview transcripts identified three superordinate themes: Preparation for the role; Exposure to the role; Review upon and action for the role. Subsumed within the three superordinate themes were twelve subthemes. The Results section for this paper reflects the IPA generated from Super-ordinate Theme 1. ConclusionThis study provides an insight in to the radiographer educational journey towards advanced practice and skeletal trauma reporting in Scotland. IPA identified a range of emotions, personal and professional commitment. Degrees of positivity were reported but perception and experience also identified stress and challenge. Mixed attitudes and a culture of resistance impacted on the lived experience of preparation for the role. This created potential to adversely affect practitioner development and requires ongoing attention from key stakeholders.