Attitudes and barriers to interprofessional collaboration among radiographers: A multi-country perspective

INTRODUCTION

To promote effective interprofessional collaboration (IPC), it is crucial to understand the attitudes of healthcare workers towards IPC and identify any barriers they may face. This is particularly important in the radiography profession where IPC is vital for providing holistic care and ensuring radiation protection and safety. However, there is limited research available on the attitudes and barriers to IPC specifically among radiographers. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the attitudes and barriers to IPC among radiographers from multiple countries.

METHODS

A quantitative descriptive cross-sectional online survey was conducted using the adapted attitudes toward healthcare teams scale (ATHCT) and barriers scale towards IPC. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics, Wilcoxon rank-sum, Kruskal-Wallis tests, and exploratory factor analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 233 radiographers across the globe participated in this survey. The study found that the overall mean score on the ATHCT scale was 54.68 (SD = 5.75). Although not statistically significant, radiographers with over 15 years of experience tended to strongly agree with all the statements, indicating a more positive attitude towards IPC. The study also identified three subscales related to IPC: quality of care, team efficiency, and time constraint. The top three barriers to IPC reported by radiographers include i. a lack of clearly defined, shared, and measurable purpose, ii. poor communication, and iii. a lack of commitment from team members.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings highlight the need for interventions and programs that promote effective communication and establish a shared vision among healthcare team members.

Mental health literacy of undergraduate radiography students in Zimbabwe

INTRODUCTION

Assessing the Mental Health Literacy (MHL) of students is crucial in having an understanding of mental health knowledge gaps, stigma, wrong beliefs, risk factors, and treatment-seeking behaviour. The aim of this study was to use a validated scale to examine the MHL of radiography students at a tertiary institution in Harare, Zimbabwe.

METHODS

A cross-sectional descriptive survey was conducted to assess the MHL of radiography students at a tertiary institution in Harare, Zimbabwe, using a validated MHL scale. Individual t-tests and analysis of variance (ANOVA) tests were conducted for each variable to examine the differences between groups expected to differ in their MHL.

RESULTS

A total of 89 students were enrolled into the study. The overall mean MHL score was 96.62 (SD-9.55), with students less knowledgeable on environmental, social, familial, or biological factors that increase the risk of developing a mental illness. Gender had no statistically significant effect on the overall score, t(83) = -0.81, p = 0.42 [Males had mean score = 95.64, SD = 10.14; and Females had mean score = 97.35, SD = 9.12]]. However, there was a significant difference in recognition of disorders by gender, t(83) = -2.42, p = 0.02, with female students (M = 26.24, SD =2.68) scoring higher than male students (M =24.69, SD =3.21). In addition, students with a previous history of mental health disorders scored higher (M =26.86, SD = 2.19) than those with no previous history (M =25.47, SD =3.04), however the difference was not statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

The students in the current study demonstrated lower MHL compared to most studies in the literature. Students were less knowledgeable about environmental, social, familial, or biological factors that increase the risk of developing a mental illness. Furthermore, a correlation between MHL and mental health experience was demonstrated. The implication of these findings is that the curriculum ought to be developed to help undergraduate radiography students become more knowledgeable about mental health and comfortable seeking appropriate support.

Radiographers' views on the workplace factors that impact their mental health: Findings of a survey at central hospitals in Zimbabwe

BACKGROUND

Delivering high-quality radiography services is an ethical duty that calls for radiographers' dedication and their capacity to handle obstacles to their mental health that arise at work. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the radiographers' views on the workplace factors that impact their mental health in a sample from Harare Metropolitan Province, Zimbabwe.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey using a structured questionnaire was conducted from 10 August to 10 September 2022. A total of 37 out of 56 radiographers working at central hospitals in Harare Metropolitan Province participated in the survey. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used in the analysis. Data were analyzed using Stata 13.

RESULTS

Frustration and stress were the most commonly reported feelings among 78.38% and 72.97% of radiographers respectively. Most radiographers agreed that workplace stress influences relationships with family, friends, and coworkers. More than half of the radiographers agreed that workplace stress has forced them to start looking for a new position. A large proportion of radiographers (41.18%) reported that they had no emotional support with only 35.29% reporting that they do have emotional support. When asked to select their top 3 work-related stressors in the last 3 months, 70.27% reported frequent equipment breakdowns, and 67.57% reported poor remuneration. There was no significant difference between diagnostic radiographers and therapy radiographers with respect to stress (Pearson chi-square = 0.57, p = 0.45).

CONCLUSION

Appropriate support mechanisms should be considered to address the issues affecting mental health; as currently this may be a factor leading to the emigration of radiographers.

Factors leading to disruptive behaviours at central hospitals in Harare Metropolitan Province: Radiography managers perspectives

BACKGROUND

The negative consequences of disruptive behaviours involving healthcare workers threatens the institution's image, staff morale, finances, and patient safety. While all kinds of health organisations or settings are potentially exposed to disruptive behaviours, some are at higher risk than others because of both environmental and cultural factors. Such risk should be assessed having regard to the specific situation and conditions in which each healthcare organization operates.

AIM

The aim of this study was to explore radiography manager's perspectives on the environmental and cultural factors leading to DBs involving radiographers at central hospitals in Harare Metropolitan Province.

METHODS

An exploratory qualitative study employing in-depth interviews with 11 radiography managers across five departments at three central hospitals selected by criterion purposive sampling was done. The interview data were analysed using Tesch's method of qualitative analysis.

RESULTS

The key environmental and cultural factors identified included three themes: power hierarchy, work environment and reporting framework. Power hierarchy comprised categories, superiority, professional boundaries and representation. The work environment incorporated categories, trust in leadership, burnout and fatigue and remuneration. Lastly, reporting framework included categories, lack of protocol and reporting culture.

CONCLUSION

Radiography managers believe that environmental factors play a bigger role in leading to disruptive behaviours that involve radiographers at central hospitals in Harare Metropolitan Province. This underscores the need for hospital and radiography managers to pay particular emphasis on these when formulating policies and procedures to address these behaviours. Addressing DBs ensures that healthy work environments are promoted which in turn ensures that patients receive optimum and safe care.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

The paper provides an insight into the environmental and cultural dynamics that may trigger disruptive behaviours involving radiographers. This information is invaluable in formulating policies and procedures for addressing these unprofessional behaviours.