Assessment of Student’s Perceptions of the Bsc. Radiography Degree Programme at Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

Abstract

Radiography education in Sri Lanka has expanded up to the degree level during the past decade. University of Peradeniya is the only state university offering free education for the radiography profession in Sri Lanka. Objectives of this study were to assess the factors influencing students to choose undergraduate radiography programme and carrier aspirations related to the degree. Total of 109 students following the radiography undergraduate program in Department of Radiography/ Radiotherapy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, University of Peradeniya were taken as the study sample for this questionnaire-based study. The sample consisted of first year (38), second year (22), third year (29) and fourth year (20) students. The questionnaire was divided into two parts: Part A contained the demographic data while part B involved information related to student’s perception on radiography degree and their employment plans. Results demonstrated that majority of students (59.6%) have chosen to follow the radiography degree depending on the Z-score obtained at G.C.E Advanced Level examination. Only 78.9% of students were aware about the risk of radiation associated with the radiography field before enrolling in degree. Most students (45.9%) expected to work as radiographers in the government sector after the graduation. The study concluded that students have selected the radiography field mainly depending on their Z-scores rather than on their interest in the subject or health sector. Therefore, it is recommended to provide proper information regarding the degree programme and associated radiation risk to potential candidates prior to the selection of the degree programme.