Learning Experience of Radiography/ Radiotherapy Graduates in MSc in Medical Physics Programme: Qualitative Study

Abstract

Number of students who follow MSc in medical physics programme in postgraduate level has proliferated dramatically in recent years due to the entrance of Radiography/ Radiotherapy graduates in Sri Lanka.The purpose of this study was to describe the learning experience of Radiography/ Radiotherapy graduates’ in MSc in medical physics programme. A qualitative study using in-depth interviews was conducted among eight Radiography/ Radiotherapy post graduates who follow MSc in Medial Physics programme in a selected university in Sri Lanka at their end of first year between March to April 2015. Data was analysed using thematic analysis.Finally, seven themes emerged from the interviews; availability of MSc programmes, relevancy of the course, course design, external issues, internal issues, career objectives and encouraging junior students. Participants had varied opinions on the one theme; career objectives. Factors which support their learning activities were relevancy of course and carrier objectives. Overall, results of the study suggest that the radiography/ radiotherapy graduates follow MSc in specific field due to unavailability of MSc programmes in their field.