Experiences of KwaZulu-Natal diagnostic radiographers’ engagement in continuing professional development activities during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Introduction Continuing professional development remains a keystone for developing and maintaining professionalism of radiographers and other healthcare professionals throughout their career lifetime. It ensures that professionals retain their capacity to practice safely, effectively, and legally, within their evolving and advancing professional fields. Technological advancements and changes in the medical imaging field, necessitate and justify the need for diagnostic radiographers to engage in continuing professional development activities. The Corona Virus Disease of 2019 (Covid-19) has significantly disrupted all aspects of life globally. The Covid-19 pandemic transformed the way in which diagnostic radiographers engaged in continuing professional development activities. Many educational activities that have been traditionally designed for live interaction and in-person settings were moved to online platforms. However, in the South African context, no studies have been conducted to detail the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on diagnostic radiographers’ engagement in continuing professional development activities. The current study filled this gap. Aim This study aimed to explore the experiences of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province diagnostic radiographers’ engagement in continuing professional development activities during the Covid-19 pandemic and to understand what could have been done to improve their engagement in continuing professional development activities . Methodology A qualitative descriptive phenomenological design was employed to conduct this study. A criterion sampling was used to select three public hospitals, within the eThekwini district in KZN. A sample size of 20 diagnostic radiographers selected using purposive homogenous sampling, participated in this study. Ethical approval to conduct the study was obtained from the Institutional Research Ethics Committee (IREC) at the Durban University of Technology (DUT). All participants participated voluntarily and gave their written consent. Data were collected using face-to-face, one-on-one, semi-structured v in-depth interviews using open-ended questions which were related to engagement in continuing professional development activities during Covid-19 pandemic. Interviews were transcribed verbatim before data analysis. Data were analysed using thematic data analysis method. Data were stored on a password-protected computer which can only be accessed by the researcher. The audio tape recorder was kept in the lockable storage that can only be accessed by the researcher. The data would be stored in this manner for 5 years. Findings The themes that emerged as findings in this study of radiographers’ experiences when engaging in continuing professional development activities during Covid-19 pandemic included: effects of this pandemic; barriers; facilitators; and recommendations on support needed to improve the engagement or in similar situations. These findings revealed that diagnostic radiographers’ engagement in continuing professional development activities was affected during the Covid-19 pandemic. One of the changes that the pandemic brought was the transition from face-to-face to virtual formats of engagement in continuing professional development activities. There was participation as well as lack of participation in continuing professional development activities during the Covid-19 pandemic. Either of the findings was linked to preferences in continuing professional development activities formats, barriers, and enablers for participants' engagement in continuing professional development activities. There was a general acknowledgment of the value of engaging in continuing professional development activities. Furthermore, participants recognised the obligation to fulfil the regulatory requirements of engaging in continuing professional development activities to remain registered as healthcare professionals. Participants in the current study highly recommended support for including time allocation, hosting of inhouse activities, and guidance from the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) and accredited providers on how to engage in online activities. Conclusion and recommendations Continuing professional development remains important for diagnostic radiographers to professionally update their knowledge and skills so that they keep up with evidence-based practice and technological changes in their profession. The Covid-19 pandemic affected the diagnostic radiographers’ engagement in continuing professional development activities. In the current study this effect was noted through the transition of the continuing professional development formats which was followed by a lack of engagement by some participants. Support in the form of time allocation for continuing professional development activities and in-house continuing professional development activities is strongly recommended to facilitate better radiographer’s engagement. Employers, HPCSA, and accredited continuing professional development providers should take an active role in supporting diagnostic radiographers, so that they may better engage in continuing professional development activities.