EXPECTATIONS IN POSTGRADUATE SUPERVISION: PERSPECTIVES FROM SUPERVISORS AND DOCTORAL STUDENTS

Published ArticleThe relationship between the postgraduate supervisor and postgraduate student is commonly described in the literature because of the interesting and sometimes even complex dynamics involved in this process. However, the literature is not always very explicit about the specific expectations of those involved. The findings of a qualitative case study, completed at an American research intensive university (Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA) are communicated in the article. Despite the complexity of the research supervision process, the expectations associated with the supervision process remains a unique experience of collaborative learning. A commitment is required from each of the role players to communicate expectations initially and continuously. Furthermore it was noted that an environment should be created for students in which they are respected as colleagues

EXTENDED CURRICULUM PROGRAMME EVOLUTION: A ROAD MAP TO ACADEMIC SUCCESS?

Published ArticleThe extended curriculum programme (ECP) in the Faculty of Health Sciences at the Central University of Technology (CUT), Bloemfontein, South Africa, consists of six different instructional programmes. These programmes have been developed for Biomedical Technology, Clinical Technology, Emergency Medical Care, Environmental Health, Radiography and Somatology. This article provides an overview of the progress and development of the health sciences ECP at CUT as a proposed road map to academic success for a specific group of students. To obtain an objective picture of the health sciences ECP students’ success, the assessment results of all the students registered between 2007 and 2012 were retrieved and analysed retrospectively. An increase in articulation was noted from 2010 to 2012 (i.e., from 70% to 84.4%) and an average articulation percentage of 80 per cent was achieved from 2007 to 2012. These figures indicated a successful transition from the ECP to the mainstream programmes. Moreover, 58 per cent of ECP students who registered in 2007 successfully completed their national diplomas in the extended timeframe. This group also delivered three B-Tech candidates and one student registered for a master’s degree. The students’ emotional growth and personal development were also prominent, as observed by the mainstream lecturers. The support offered to students in the current ECP includes a mentorship programme with a qualified psychologist, supplemental instruction (SI) and the sponsorship of all textbooks and registration fees for the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) and First Aid training

Meaningful assessment in health technology

Published ArticleThe implementation of the outcomes-based education and training (OBET) and learner-centred approaches specifically in the health technology programmes at the Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT) exposed facilitators to new challenges in teaching and assessment. The current assessment environment in these programmes was established, using two questionnaires aimed at facilitators and students. The results of the study showed a trend towards innovation in assessment and the establishment of an assessment culture when compared with specific characteristics in literature on meaningful and scholarly assessment practices

An Instrument to Assess Neonatal Chest Image Quality

Published ArticleDepending on their condition, most neonates in a neonatal intensive care unit require multiple diagnostic imaging examinations. Therefore, radiographers who perform these diagnostic imaging examinations should use optimal imaging techniques, to limit radiation dose and to ensure optimal image quality. The study wished to determine if radiographers were producing consistent optimal chest images and limiting radiation doses for neonates in a neonatal intensive care unit. A descriptive quantitative study was done by utilising a checklist compiled from literature to evaluate 450 neonatal chest images. Evaluation of the images indicates that radiographers seem unable to adhere to radiation control regulations. The authors propose including the checklist as part of a radiation safety improvement process, as it proved to be an assessment tool for identifying areas in image quality that require improvement

High dose-rate brachytherapy in the radical treatment of cervical cancer. An analysis of dose effectiveness and incidence of late radiation complications

Published ArticleWorldwide, uterine cervical cancer is one of the most frequently occurring cancers in women, with more than 80% of these cases occurring in developing countries. The South African screening policy and screening program, implemented in 2001, attempt to reduce this incidence of cervical cancer in South Africa. It is essential to treat these women with the best modalities available. This retrospective study focused specifically on the curative potential of radiotherapy administered to patients at the Oncology Department, Bloemfontein, since a new modality of high dose-rate intracavitary brachytherapy was implemented in 1994. Late radiation complications were also investigated

Phylogeographic Analysis Elucidates the Influence of the Ice Ages on the Disjunct Distribution of Relict Dragonflies in Asia

Unusual biogeographic patterns of closely related groups reflect events in the past, and molecular analyses can help to elucidate these events. While ample research on the origin of disjunct distributions of different organism groups in the Western Paleartic has been conducted, such studies are rare for Eastern Palearctic organisms. In this paper we present a phylogeographic analysis of the disjunct distribution pattern of the extant species of the strongly cool-adapted Epiophlebia dragonflies from Asia. We investigated sequences of the usually more conserved 18 S rDNA and 28 S rDNA genes and the more variable sequences of ITS1, ITS2 and CO2 of all three currently recognised Epiophlebia species and of a sample of other odonatan species. In all genes investigated the degrees of similarity between species of Epiophlebia are very high and resemble those otherwise found between different populations of the same species in Odonata. This indicates that substantial gene transfer between these populations occurred in the comparatively recent past. Our analyses imply a wide distribution of the ancestor of extant Epiophlebia in Southeast Asia during the last ice age, when suitable habitats were more common. During the following warming phase, its range contracted, resulting in the current disjunct distribution. Given the strong sensitivity of these species to climatic parameters, the current trend to increasing global temperatures will further reduce acceptable habitats and seriously threaten the existences of these last representatives of an ancient group of Odonata

Student learning outcomes assessment in radiography within the context of a national higher education quality framework

Published ArticleThis article describes a process of student learning outcomes assessment for a health sciences programme in radiography at a university in South Africa. Its purpose is to demonstrate that while the process of student learning outcomes assessment is universal, it can be used both nationally and internationally. As long as underlying premises are met, assessment needs to be considered within the context of a country's unique culture, society and history. Underlying premises include understanding the institution's mission and vision, determining that the programme's mission and vision are congruent with those of the institution, and involving faculty early in the assessment process

Problem-solving abilities of radiography students at a South African university

Background. Developing the problem-solving skills of student  radiographers is imperative for encouraging critical thinking and allowing them to work efficiently in an era of rapidly advancing technology. Students’ ability to demonstrate these skills was studied so that the Department of Radiography, at a comprehensive university in South Africa, could develop a more explicit curriculum to facilitate these competencies.Objective. To assess problem-solving skills of third-year radiography students at a comprehensive South African university.Methods. The study employed a descriptive exploratory design. The participants’ responses to vignettes (in the form of clinical scenarios) wereanalysed using a Likert scale and action verbs developed for evaluating evidence of problem-solving skills and providing quantitative data. Field notes were made while analysing responses to each question, providing qualitative data.Results. The findings indicate that the majority of participants  demonstrated a minimal ability to problem solve in a vignette. This implies that to improve problem-solving skills of student radiographers, there is a need for curriculum adjustment to nurture and encourage this competency.Conclusion. Facilitators need to be taught methods to integrate problem solving into the curriculum, and learning material must be adjusted toaccommodate problem solving for this skill to become part of the  programme outcomes

Demostrating the cervicothoracic junction : a comparison of two radiographic X-RAY techniques

Published ArticleThe most important projection of a patient with suspected cervical spine trauma is the lateral projection demonstrating C7 as well as T1. It frequently happens that the first and sometimes the second set of images do not demonstrate the cervicothoracic junction C7- T1. Literature underlines this statement through reports by Daffner (Daffner, 2000: Online) where the swimmer's projection needed to be repeated in 41% of their sample. In addition, 34% of the patients required a third radiograph. In this investigation, the swimmer's projection C7- T1 was compared to an alternative method to demonstrate C7-T1 as described in literature. The objectives were to ascertain which technique would yield the better identification of pathology, better image quality and less repeat films. A sample of 45 patients was examined at a tertiary level hospital. Two exposures were done on each member of the sample : the first was the swimmer's projection and the second with the patient reversing the orientation of their arms. The images were evaluated by three radiologists using a standardised checklist. The results revealed that the alternative swimmer's projection has comparable image quality where the p-value of spatial resolution equalled 0.7120 indicating that the overall impression of the two films was equal. The weighted Kappa for repeat rate amongst the three radiologists lies between -1 and 0.5 indicating poor agreement. The results for pathology were inconclusive. The results validate the use of the adapted swimmer's projection as an alternative that could decrease radiation exposure by limiting repeat projections