Generation Y Health Professional Students’ Preferred Teaching and Learning Approaches: A Systematic Review

Generation Y or Millennials are descriptors for those born between 1982 and 2000. This cohort has grown up in the digital age and is purported to have different learning preferences from previous generations. Students are important stakeholders in identifying their preferred teaching and learning approaches in health professional programs. This study aimed to identify, appraise, and synthesize the best available evidence regarding the teaching and learning preferences of Generation Y health professional students. The review considered any objectively measured or self-reported outcomes of teaching and learning reported from Generation Y health professional student perspectives. In accordance with a previously published Joanna Briggs Institute Protocol, a three-step search strategy was completed. Two research articles (nursing and dental hygiene students) and three dissertations (nursing) were critically appraised. All studies were cross-sectional descriptive studies. A range of pedagogical approaches was reported, including lecture, group work, and teaching clinical skills. Based on the Joanna Briggs Institute levels of evidence, reviewers deemed the evidence as Level 3. Some generational differences were reported, but these were inconsistent across the studies reviewed. There is, therefore, insufficient evidence to provide specific recommendations for the preferred educational approaches of health professional students and further research is warrante

The Australian BreastScreen workforce: a snapshot

Purpose: BreastScreen Australia programmes employ qualified, skilled radiographers who provide radiologists with high quality mammographic images for interpretation. Workforce issues are a key factor in productivity and capacity, particularly in light of the aging of the population and the possible expansion of the target age group. The purpose of this paper is to provide a snapshot of the demographics and current working practices of radiographers currently employed by BreastScreen Australia. Methods: A questionnaire was distributed to radiographers employed in BreastScreen Australia Services. This paper reports on responses to questions relating to demographics and current working practices. Results: Two hundred and fifty three questionnaires were returned. Of radiographers within Australian BreastScreen programmes 53% are over 50 years old, 69% were trained in Australia and have been undertaking mammography for 10 years or more. Radiographers under 35 years old make up 12% of the current workforce. Of the BreastScreen workforce, 63% are employed part time. Conclusion: An estimated 78% response rate implies that the data obtained from Australian radiographers currently working in BreastScreen is representative. Within the next five to ten years it is estimated that 30% of BreastScreen radiographers may retire. Strategies are needed to increase workforce numbers, in order to cope with increased participation rates due to population growth and an increased target age range

Assessment of the willingness of radiographers in mammography to accept new responsibilities in role extension: part one - quantitative analysis

Purpose : The success of skill development amongst radiographers in the UK over the last 30 years has stimulated discussion about similar developments in Australia. The introduction of flexible roles and responsibilities may well improve the recruitment and retention issues facing radiographers in mammography by increasing the level of job satisfaction and professional confidence. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the attitudes of BreastScreen Australia radiographers toward mammography screen reading and to determine other areas of interest in role extension. Methods and materials: Questionnaires were sent to radiographers working within Australian BreastScreening programs. The emphasis for this study was on image interpretation, although different areas of role expansion were discussed. The radiographers were asked whether there were any barriers preventing them from becoming screen readers and the levels of supervision and training they thought appropriate for different tasks.They were asked to discuss possible benefits and disadvantages of additional responsibilities. The involvement of radiographers with routine screening was explored as well as the possibility of further training leading to more diversity in their careers. Results: The results highlight the interest that radiographers working in Australia have for role extension in mammography. The radiographers indicated they would feel reasonably confident to undertake image interpretation, but two areas gave them cause for concern – a lack of prior images, and the prospect of no radiologist reading with them. The majority (79%) of radiographers were prepared to undertake extra training and demonstrated that the importance of increased pay for these extra responsibilities (39%) lagged behind the importance of increased professional equity (47%) and increased enjoyment and interest in mammography (66%). The possibility of role expansion being a cause of division in the workforce (pressure to comply) was seen as a problem by only 15% of respondents. Conclusion: This study reports on the thoughts and perceptions of Australian radiographers on many aspects of role expansion within BreastScreen Australia and shows their support for advanced practice

Development of a training package to increase the performance of radiographers in assessing screening mammograms

Purpose: Due to a lack of any formal training in mammographic image interpretation for radiographers in Australia, a training package was developed specifically for radiographers who were to undertake a trial of screening mammogram assessment. Methods: A PowerPoint presentation was developed and included topics such as: how best to prepare to screen read, methods of checking all areas of the breast tissue, and examples of benign and malignant lesions. The training package was made available after completion of a pilot study, and pre-post testing was conducted on the same mammograms to determine the effectiveness of training. Results: There was an overall increase in sensitivity (73-78%) with five of seven radiographers improving. The average specificity was relatively constant (71-70%), with three radiographers showing improvement. Again, overall accuracy remained constant (72%) with four radiographers improving, one remaining constant and two decreasing in accuracy. Conclusion: Guidelines for preparing and systematically checking mammogram images were helpful to most of the radiographers, with the training package helping to improve sensitivity and accuracy for the majority of participants

Towards in vivo TLD dosimetry in mammography

While TLDs are used for quality control assessment of the mammography unit, in vivo dose measurements are necessary to account for the variation in size and composition of the female breast. The use of thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs) in mammography has been limited due to TLD visibility. The aim of this current investigation was to access the suitability of a paper-thin LiF:Mg,Cu,P TLD (GR-200F) for in vivo dosimetric mammography measurements. The visibility of GR-200F has been directly compared with LiF:Mg,Cu,P TLDs (GR-200A) using a number of commercially available phantoms. The phantoms of thickness 2–5 cm were imaged over the range of tube potentials (24–28 kVp) used clinically. Both types of TLD were placed on the surface of the phantoms allowing assessment of visibility, entrance surface dose (ESD) and field homogeneity. In vivo assessment of ESD and visibility was also carried out on a volunteer undergoing a routine mammography examination. The positions of the GR-200F TLDs were not identified either on the image of the Leeds TOR(MAM) phantom or the patient mammograms. The average ESD for the Leeds phantom was 8.8 mGy, while the patient ESD was 13 mGy. It is now possible to perform in vivo measurements with the potential of increasing the accuracy of the doses measured for women that do not conform to a standard breast thickness or density

A retrospective pilot study of the performance of mammographers in interpreting screening mammograms

Purpose: This paper provides pilot data from one Breast Screening Program on whether mammographers have the ability to review mammograms with similar accuracy to screen readers. Methods: The participant group consisted of 11 mammographers (experienced in assessing images for technical adequacy, but no specialised training for detecting abnormalities) and three current screen readers employed at Hunter BreastScreen. Fifty sets of mammograms performed during 2003 were used in the retrospective study. The mammograms were chosen to represent a range of review outcomes. Each participant reviewed each set of mammograms using the BreastScreen Australia assessment scale; these results were then categorised into two groups – Rescreen or Recall. The consensus review outcome of the original screen readers was used as the “Gold Standard”. Patient outcome was assessed by following up on the results of any histology or pathology tests in 2003 or the 2006 screening results. Results: Compared with the Gold Standard outcomes, the three current screen reader participants had sensitivity values of 67%, 83% and 94%; mammographer sensitivity values ranged from 61% to 89%. Specificity for the screen reader participants was 81%, 84% and 87% and mammographers ranged from 45% to 97%. Accuracy for the three screen readers was 76%, 84% and 90% while the mammographers attained between 55% and 86%. Conclusion: Without any training, the sensitivity obtained by three mammographers and the specificity obtained by six mammographers were similar to those of the current screen reader participants. Accuracy rates of the mammographers indicate that screen reading by selected and appropriately trained mammographers may be feasible

Towards in vivo TLD dosimetry in mammography

While TLDs are used for quality control assessment of the mammography unit, in vivo dose measurements are necessary to account for the variation in size and composition of the female breast. The use of thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs) in mammography has been limited due to TLD visibility. The aim of this current investigation was to access the suitability of a paper-thin LiF:Mg,Cu,P TLD (GR-200F) for in vivo dosimetric mammography measurements. The visibility of GR-200F has been directly compared with LiF:Mg,Cu,P TLDs (GR-200A) using a number of commercially available phantoms. The phantoms of thickness 2–5 cm were imaged over the range of tube potentials (24–28 kVp) used clinically. Both types of TLD were placed on the surface of the phantoms allowing assessment of visibility, entrance surface dose (ESD) and field homogeneity. In vivo assessment of ESD and visibility was also carried out on a volunteer undergoing a routine mammography examination. The positions of the GR-200F TLDs were not identified either on the image of the Leeds TOR(MAM) phantom or the patient mammograms. The average ESD for the Leeds phantom was 8.8 mGy, while the patient ESD was 13 mGy. It is now possible to perform in vivo measurements with the potential of increasing the accuracy of the doses measured for women that do not conform to a standard breast thickness or density

Lateral cervical spine examinations: an evaluation of dose for grid and non-grid techniques

Purpose: Radiation doses have been monitored for a long time, as we are aware that radiation can produce biological effects. However, there is a limited amount of information available on patient dose from cervical spine examinations. In addition, the techniques used are variable between radiographic departments and even radiographers within one department. The difference in technique of particular concern is the use of radiographic grids. While it reduces scatter and improve image quality, the use of a grid demands increased exposure factors and dose to obtain the same optical density on the film. Method: This study investigated the range of doses for lateral cervical spine examinations in the Hunter and Sydney metropolitan regions of New South Wales, Australia. Radiation doses were calculated from X-ray tube output measurements and patient exposure parameters. Results: Differences in dose for 116 patients (53 non-grid, 63 grid) examined on 13 X-ray units were analysed. The study calculated the mean entrance surface dose for the non-grid system (228 μGy) to be significantly lower at the 95% significance level than the mean entrance surface dose for the grid techniques (505 μGy). However, the use of a grid for computed radiography systems did not produce any differences in dose with the use or non-use of a grid, while there was a three-fold increase for film-screen systems. Conclusion: The increased level of dose and the inherent air-gap nature of the lateral cervical spine examination raises severe doubt on the use of anti-scatter grids and the recommendation is that they should not be used

Developing a qualitative framework for analysis of student journals

Learning from work is an important aspect of student and professional life when working within the health profession. Personal journals are one way that health professionals are able to document their experiences. These journals also hold a wealth of information about the student experience on placement. To analyse the content of journals a qualitative research analytical method is required. There are many different methodological underpinnings or approaches within qualitative research and it is important that the researchers consider their own world view and the context of the research and the data to be evaluated when selecting a qualitative methodology to utilise. This paper discusses an overview of the process of choosing a qualitative framework for the analysis of the descriptions contained within student personal journals. The paper describes the development and validity checking of a coding or sourcebook for qualitative descriptive analysis of student personal journals