Impact of converting to a baccalaureate degree in radiation therapy as perceived by radiation therapists and administrators

• Main Author: Undie, William Adanbe
• Format: Others
• Published: DigitalCommons@Robert W. Woodruff Library, Atlanta University Center 1999
• Subjects: Education
• Online Access: http://digitalcommons.auctr.edu/dissertations/1067; http://digitalcommons.auctr.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2783&context=dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if differences exist in the perceptions of baccalaureate and certificate radiation therapists regarding their level of professionalism; degree of competence in technical, analytic, communication and leadership skills; and level of role conflict in the work environment. The role conflict here refers to the situation in which the existing roles of graduates in the work place contradict their expectations. Additionally, administrators of employing facilities for baccalaureate and certificate radiation therapists were surveyed to determine their perceptions of baccalaureate and certificate radiation therapists using the variables indicated above. An instrument was developed by the researcher, incorporating elements relevant to professional behavior, job competence, and roles expected of radiation therapists in the work place. A preliminary pilot study was conducted with 33 radiation therapists and 12 administrators using the 35-item survey to test the adequacy of the instrument. Reliability of the instrument was strong, ranging from .89 to .95. These reliabilities were judged to be adequate in relation to the sample size and number of items in the questionnaire. The questionnaire was distributed to 500 radiation therapists in the Eastern United States. Two hundred and twenty-one questionnaires, representing a return rate of 44% were received from the respondents. In reviewing the questionnaire, only 216 (88 baccalaureate) and (128 certificate) respondents met the criteria of the study. A similar, but modified version of the questionnaire was mailed to 80 administrators of cancer treatment centers who supervised each radiation therapist in the study. Forty-three of the questionnaires mailed to the administrators were returned, representing a return rate of 44%. A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was applied to the data and an F ratio was obtained. Significance was set at p = .05 There were no significant differences between the perceptions of baccalaureate and certificate radiation therapists regarding their level of professionalism or in any of the skill areas identified in the study. The administrators on the other hand perceived differences between both groups in the areas of professionalism, role conflict, analytic, communication and leadership skills. The baccalaureate radiation therapists were perceived as excelling in these qualities, and experiencing a greater role conflict in the work place compared to the certificate radiation therapists. The baccalaureate radiation therapists also perceived themselves as experiencing a greater role conflict in the work place.