Conception of man in diagnostic radiography research – A discourse analysis of research articles from the journal radiography

Concept analysis of 'Facilitating a transformative radiation protection environment'

INTRODUCTION

Suboptimal radiation protection evidenced in literature necessitated the development of a theory to optimise radiation protection. To develop a theory, concept analysis of the central concept guiding the theory is required to provide explicit theoretical and operational definitions. This article presents the concept analysis of the central concept of 'facilitating a transformative radiation protection environment' used to develop a theory to optimise radiation protection.

METHODS

The study used Walker and Avant's concept analysis process of selecting a concept, determining the aims and purpose of analysis, identifying all uses of the concept, and determining the defining attributes by identifying a model case, a borderline case and a contrary case.

RESULTS

The central concept was dissected into the individual concepts of facilitating, transformative, radiation, protection, and environment to enhance the definition and conceptual meaning of the central concept. The essential and related attributes of the individual concepts informed the summative definition of the central concept, and a model, borderline and contrary case contributed to the conceptual meaning.

CONCLUSION

The summative definition of the central concept of "facilitating a transformative radiation protection environment" was determined to be through the essential attributes of help, process, change, X-rays, keeping safe considering the benefits versus risks of ionising radiation exposure and the total internal, external context within which persons exist and the related attributes.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Explored extensively in nursing literature, concept analyses in radiography are limited. Therefore, this article articulates the process of concept analysis and its use in radiography. Concept analysis provides a systematic process to analyse concepts often assumed to be understood, highlighting its importance in radiography literature and to educational praxis.

Radiography-An etymological and semantic concept analysis from the perspective of radiographic science

INTRODUCTION

Concepts are cornerstones in science, and their determination is a prerequisite for understanding their substance and meaning. Radiography as a concept is not straightforward nor simple to understand, and there are different interpretations depending on the scientific perspective. To develop truthful knowledge of radiography from the perspective of the discipline, a determination of the subject and substance of radiography is required and thereby is a precursor for theory development. The aim of this study was to investigate the etymological and semantic meaning of radiography from the radiography science perspective.

METHODS

An etymological and semantic analysis has been applied according to Koort and Eriksson's theoretical model. Dictionaries published between 2004 and 2021 were used.

RESULTS

The findings show that etymologically, radiography is formed by compounding the words 'radio' and 'graphy', originating historically from Latin and Greek. The semantic analysis revealed that the substance of radiography consisted of four characteristics that are the basic substance of radiography. The characteristics were X-ray and radiation, human beings-opaque objects, process including an act and art and images.

CONCLUSION

This study clarifies the substance and meaning of radiography as a subject from the perspective of radiography science. The subject and substance consisted of the four basic characteristics that all are vital and required to understand the concept of radiography. The characteristics revealed that radiography science is based on scientific knowledge and carrier of properties of meaning that provide a fundamental understanding of radiography science.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Investigating the subject, substance and meaning of radiography as a concept can become the base for further theoretical, contextual and practical understanding and support in the development of theory in radiography science.

The concept of caring amongst first year diagnostic radiography students: Original research

Student radiographers start their work integrated learning from their first year of studying and they are in constant contact with patients. Based on this interaction, it is imperative for all diagnostic radiography students to be caring professionals. The purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of caring amongst diagnostic student radiographers by exploring and describing their experiences of caring in the clinical environment. A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual research design was utilized. Focus group interviews were conducted with first year diagnostic radiography students. Purposive sampling was used to ensure information rich data was obtained. In keeping with qualitative research, participants were interviewed until data saturation was reached. Appreciative inquiry was used as an interview technique to encourage storytelling and to engage in narrative - rich communication. The 4-D model of appreciative inquiry, namely; Discovery, Dream, Destiny and Design, formed the basis for the interview questions. Data was analysed and coded and themes were created based on the interpretation of the data. Three themes were identified as being; caring as an integral part of a career choice, unpreparedness for interpersonal interactions and barriers and enablers for the development of a caring identity. Participants expressed an idealistic vision of what caring means to them as a student radiographer. Participants felt unprepared for their daily interpersonal interactions with patients and other staff. Recommendations to radiography educators would be to engage in more role-playing exercises, reflective practices and peer discussions.