A two-phase study to explore whether student radiographer attrition can be predicted and to improve understanding of high attrition rates from undergraduate diagnostic radiography degrees in England.

Abstract

Background: Little research has been undertaken into the high rates of attrition from Diagnostic Radiography programmes. This two-phase study explored risk factors and experiences that may lead to attrition along with strategies that have enabled students to overcome these and continue their studies. Methods: Phase one – Quantitative, retrospective analysis of data from 2009-2014 for 579 past undergraduate student diagnostic radiographers from three English universities using non-parametric statistical tests and logistic regression. Data analysed included demographic and educational characteristics. Phase two - Qualitative national online survey of 168 current undergraduate student diagnostic radiographers to further explore findings from phase one. Results: From the retrospective data, an attrition rate of 19% was reported with 45% non-completers leaving for personal reasons. Peak attrition was at 12 months. Increased age, non A-level entry qualifications and poor academic performance were identified as risk factors for attrition (p<0.005). From the survey data, a response rate of 5% was achieved. The majority of students who had considered leaving reported multiple reasons. Results suggested that for mature students, external pressures were likely to be the greatest cause of attrition; for younger students, academic difficulty and workload. Poor academic performance may result from both of these situations. Entry qualification was not identified by students as an issue and was not likely to be the cause of increased attrition for students holding these; the majority of these students were mature and many of the complex difficulties reported related to this rather than other problems. However, several of the younger students holding these qualifications reported academic struggling which may require consideration. Appropriate support was identified by students as key in their decisions to continue.