Experiences of newly qualified therapeutic radiographers who transitioned to work during Covid-19

INTRODUCTION: The Covid-19 pandemic continues to impact on how radiotherapy is delivered, how staff do their job and how patients are cared for. Part of the UK NHS response to the covid-19 crisis was to accelerate final year radiotherapy students into work as therapeutic radiographers. The study objective is to explore the experiences of a cohort of new registrants who started work in May 2020. METHODS: In depth interviews were conducted remotely with newly qualified therapeutic radiography registrants regarding their first 12 months working in UK NHS cancer centres. Data were analysed within and across cases using a framework analysis and synthesised thematically. RESULTS: Eleven radiographers were interviewed, working across six different sites. Key generated themes are the risk of impaired professional socialisation due to incongruence between students’ expectations and the reality in clinical departments. We use Bridges Transitional Model to show how a combination of the disrupted/undefined end to university and a perceived lack of recognition of professional knowledge, skills and values evident in our data may leave participants stuck in a middle stage of the transition process. Slower than expected professional development led to demotivation, which was also associated with rising covid-19 case numbers. CONCLUSION: The covid-19 pandemic accentuated and heightened the existing challenge of professional integration and socialisation faced by new therapeutic radiography staff. Demotivation and potentially attrition are more likely in this environment. Compassionate leadership that fosters the mentorship of junior cohorts as part of a flexible preceptorship package could mitigate these risks.