First year student radiographers’ perceptions of a one-week simulation-based education package designed to increase clinical placement capacity

INTRODUCTION: The radiography workforce is short-staffed and under increasing pressure to meet service pressures. Combined with the impact of Covid-19, where student face-to-face clinical time was abruptly halted for safety, there is cause to change the pedagogical approach to teaching diagnostic radiography to students, increasing capacity and ensuring the continuance of qualifying radiographers to support the profession. This paper shares the perceptions of first year student radiographers on a one-week simulation-based education package designed to replace one week of clinical placement experience. METHODS: Two cohorts of first-year radiography students engaged in a one-week simulation-based education package. Simulations increased in complexity throughout the week and included conventional imaging techniques, mobile and theatre radiography, and cross-sectional imaging. Thirty-six students consented to the thematic analysis of their reflective blogs. RESULTS: Five themes emerged from the data: feeling anxious, understanding and skill development, building confidence, communication, and patient-centred care. CONCLUSION: The simulation package had a positive impact on students learning, no matter the stage at which it was incorporated into their clinical placement block. Students engaged well with the activities and saw value in the experience. The findings indicate that the simulation-based education package is a suitable replacement for one week of clinical placement, supporting skills development in students and providing increased placement capacity. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: A successful, engaging simulation-based education package is presented, which first year student radiographers perceived as a suitable replacement for one-week of clinical placement. Further research into the acceptability of use of simulation-based education packages in second- and third-year student radiographers would be a useful next step.