An evaluation of the experiences of academics and practice educators who supported radiography students working on the temporary HCPC register during the COVID-19 pandemic

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic has 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 Health Education England, to ensure the changes brought in by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) emergency measures were implemented. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of staff supporting final year diagnostic and therapeutic radiography students who joined the HCPC register early during phase one of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: This study was informed by a phenomenological approach, in which a purposeful sample of eight participants comprising of six practice educators (PEs) and two academics. Semi-structured interviews and focus groups were conducted to collect the data via a virtual platform. RESULTS: The results highlighted three themes, Competence and the transition to registration, Support mechanisms and Communication. Both academics and PEs described how they observed the new registrants gaining 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 suggested that having robust support mechanisms and communication in place are essential for the success of this initiative. CONCLUSION: The results provide insight into how PEs and academics supported new registrants to meet the necessary requirements of the HCPC register whilst working during the first phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. They highlight the importance of having robust support mechanisms and good communication in place to achieve this. 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.