Experiences of undergraduate therapeutic radiography students working in radiation oncology departments: A qualitative study

Introduction: Therapeutic radiography (TR) students frequently encounter a range of positive emotions as they engage with their work during clinical placements, often feeling that their contributions are both meaningful and impactful in patients' lives. However, many healthcare students grapple with elevated stress levels due to the pressures of maintaining academic performance and adapting to the demanding work environment inherent in healthcare settings. The aim of this research study was to explore and describe the experiences of TR students working with patients in radiation oncology departments. Methods: A qualitative, contextual, exploratory, and descriptive research design was used to conduct this study. Twelve TR students were purposefully selected for World Café discussions on Microsoft Teams. The questions posed to them were developed using the Appreciative Inquiry approach, and the data were analysed with Tesch's eight-step descriptive analysis technique for open coding. Results: Four themes were identified: (1) positive feelings experienced in the work environment; (2) mental health support needed to strengthen the positive experiences; (3) mental health measures essential to achieve the students’ dreams; (4) strategies for the implementation of mental health measures. Conclusion: The study's findings highlighted that the TR students are happy to work in the radiation oncology environment, however, they felt unsupported by their lecturers and clinical tutors. The participants suggested measures that could be put in place by TR lecturers and clinical tutors to create a supportive learning environment for the students. Implications for practice: This study's findings highlight the importance of a learning environment for TR students where they feel valued, respected, and supported to build their confidence and enhance their educational experience.