An evaluation of the experiences of radiography students working on the temporary HCPC register during the COVID-19 pandemic

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the world's perspective and had a profound impact on all those residing in the United Kingdom, resulting in unprecedented changes being made to the education and training of healthcare students. Universities and practice partners had to respond quickly and work in close collaboration with their wider system partners, Health Education England and the Department of Health, to ensure the changes made within the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) emergency measures were implemented. The aim was to explore the experiences of final year diagnostic and therapeutic radiography students who joined the HCPC temporary register during phase one of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: This study was informed by a phenomenological approach, in which a purposeful sample of seventeen participants comprising of nine students, six practice educators and two academics were chosen to participate. Semi-structured interviews and focus groups were conducted to collect the data via a virtual platform. RESULTS: The results highlighted three themes, professionalism and transition to registration, benefits and challenges of working through a pandemic, and emotional impact. Students described how they gained confidence and competence during their time on the temporary register and suggested that professional bodies could consider curriculum changes to encompass a final transitional placement similar to their experience. They said they had been well supported but felt a sense of loss having been denied the normal rite of passage associated with completion of their course and graduation. CONCLUSION: The results provide insight into how students, practice educators and academics transformed their practice to meet the necessary requirements whilst working during the first phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. They highlight the importance of having good support mechanisms in place and the rewards and challenges for students joining their professional register early. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Some consideration could be made to changing the curriculum in the future to allow for early temporary registration and paid Band 4 final placements for students working as assistant practitioners.