A needs assessment survey for continuous professional education amongst diagnostic radiographers from the Free State Province

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT:Continuing Professional Education (CPE) is a method by means of which radiographers andother health care professionals can systematically maintain, improve and broaden theirknowledge and skills. Chances are that mandatory CPE will be introduced for South Africanradiographers by the year 200t. For this reason it was decided to undertake a needsassessment survey of Free State Province diagnostic radiographers.The aim of this study wasto assess the perceived needs of Free State Province radiographers.In this way adults, as consumers of CPE, were involved in the planning process. Resultsobtained from the needs assessment provide valuable information to providers of CPE activities.With the aid of the results, providers can plan activities responsibly, which will satisfy their targetpopulation.The needs assessment was done by means of a maH-administered questionnaire-, and aresponse rate of 58% was obtained. Data analyses showed that most of the radiographers wereemployed in small x-ray departments and, due to this fact, experienced constraints regardingCPE participation. Constraints such as staff shortages and a lack of backup staff were identified.New developments-in radiography, management skills, computer skills and UUrasound were tbetopic areas indicated by the highest percentage of respondents as high level of need areas.Flexible learning strategies- with adequate support mechanisms must be developed. In order toprovide high-quality CPE activities, all stakeholders, such as the Technikon Free State, theSociety of Radiographers, the employers- and the radiographers, must share the- respon-sibHity ofCPE. The study showed that close co-operation between stakeholders is essential to thesuccess of CPE in the Free- State Province,

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University