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Paterson, Alice and Devlin, Lynsey and Mitchell, Joanne and Ogg, Jacqueline and Farnan, Kirsty and Coupland, Suzanne and Duffton, Aileen (2024) Survey of research attitudes of RTT working in Scotland: a Scottish radiographer research forum collaboration. Technical Innovations and Patient Support in Radiation Oncology, 30: 100248. ISSN 2405-6324

AI Summary:

The survey results demonstrated a predominantly positive attitude to research amongst RTTs working in Scottish centres. The majority of RTTs agreed they were confident they had sufficient research skills to inform EBP, and felt research was important for role development.

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Abstract

Purpose:
Evidence-based practice (EBP) is associated with improved treatment outcomes and survival in cancer patients. Engagement from therapeutic radiographers/radiation therapists (RTTs) in research, has been identified as a challenge. The aim of this survey was to gain an understanding of RTT attitudes to research in Scotland.

Methods:
This was a prospective study that used a mixed method cross-sectional survey, with an online survey tool (Webropol). The survey was developed with collaborators from all Scottish Radiotherapy Centres (n = 5) and piloted by 6 conveniently sampled RTT and validated by 8 experienced RTTs. The survey comprised 29 items, 7 selection-based demographic questions, and 18 statements with a Likert 5-point metric scale rating (1 = strongly disagree, 2 = disagree, 3 = neutral, 4 = agree, 5 = strongly agree). The validity was measured with the content validity index (CVI) and item-CVI by 8 experienced RTTs. Low scoring I-CVI (<0.78) questions were removed.

A total of 314 RTTs working in Scottish Radiotherapy Centres were invited to participate. Approvals were given by each Head of department (HoD), who also confirmed number of RTTs.

Results:
A total of 102/314 (32.5 %) RTTs responded. The majority of RTTs agreed they were confident they had sufficient research skills to inform EBP (n = 58/102, 56.9 %), felt confident discussing EBP with colleagues (n = 67, 65.7 %) and felt research was important for role development (n = 89, 87.2 %). Low mean scores and standard deviation (SD) were observed for the following: “I know how to get involved in research” 3.2 (1.2), “I have been given the opportunity to get involved in research” 3.2 (1.1), and “I am well informed about current research projects in my department” 3.2 (1.1). 57.8 % (n = 59) of RTTs disagreed they were confident adequate time would be provided to be involved in research.

Publications

Caldwell, Donna and Duffton, Aileen and Wilkinson, Chloe (2025) The impact of Clinical Trials Radiographers on set-up and recruitment to radiotherapy trials. Technical Innovations and Patient Support in Radiation Oncology, 34: 100309. ISSN 2405-6324

Corish, Siobhán and Fulton, Ben A. and Galbraith, Linda and Coltart, Kirsty and Duffton, Aileen (2024) Impact of patient information format on the experience of cancer patients treated with radiotherapy. Technical Innovations and Patient Support in Radiation Oncology, 30: 100252. ISSN 2405-6324

Duffton, Aileen and Harnett, Nicole and McNair, Helen A and Bennett, Erica and Clarkson, Melanie and Guilherme Couto, Jose and Lawler, Gavin and Matthews, Kristie and Oliveira, Celeste and Rozanec, Natalie and Simões, Rita and Tsang, Yatman (2024) RTT advanced practice and how it can change the future of radiotherapy. Technical Innovations and Patient Support in Radiation Oncology, 30: 100245. ISSN 2405-6324