Use of Online Media for Professional Development Amongst Medical Radiation Practitioners in Australia and Canada

Lori Boyd; Celeste Lawson; Lisa DiProspero; Kieng Tan; Kristie Matthews; Nabita Singh

doi:10.1016/j.jmir.2018.03.005

Use of Online Media for Professional Development Amongst Medical Radiation Practitioners in Australia and Canada

J Med Imaging Radiat Sci. 2018 Jun;49(2):187-193. doi: 10.1016/j.jmir.2018.03.005. Epub 2018 Jun 13.

Authors

Lori Boyd¹, Celeste Lawson², Lisa DiProspero³, Kieng Tan³, Kristie Matthews⁴, Nabita Singh⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Electronic address: lori.boyd@monash.edu.
² School of Education and the Arts, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia.
³ Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
⁴ Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
⁵ Department of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

PMID: 32074037
DOI: 10.1016/j.jmir.2018.03.005

Abstract

Online media allows access to professional development (PD) regardless of geographical location and has the potential to provide equitable, immediate and quality PD. Online media includes online information and social media. The purpose of this mixed methods research study was to investigate the perceptions and use of online media for PD amongst medical radiation practitioners within Australia and Canada. An online survey was circulated to members of the Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists (CAMRT) and the Australian Society of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy (ASMIRT). The survey collected data within three domains: current use, satisfaction of use, and future use. A four point Likert scale was used for both satisfaction with the online platform and frequency of use. Two hundred and thirty-nine responses were collected. Results indicated that the online mechanisms most frequently used by respondents for PD were Google, self-directed learning, and intranet. A correlating degree of satisfaction was indicated with the use of these platforms. The least used online media for PD were social media platforms including health related blogs, LinkedIn, Twitter, health related and professional applications, Facebook, and online journal clubs. Online media is well suited to PD for medical radiation practitioners. The platforms that are preferred offer speed and ease of access regardless of geographical location or occupation. Whilst inherent risks and instances of unprofessional online behaviour are acknowledged, Australian and Canadian practitioners are keen to learn what social media PD opportunities exist. Findings indicate that radiation therapists are more receptive to explore new social media platforms and tools than are radiographers. There is an opportunity to incorporate formal PD for medical radiation practitioners within recognised social media platforms.

Keywords: online learning; professional development; radiation therapy; radiography; social media.