Dissertation Abstract

A Baccalaureate Degree in Radiologic Health Science: A Multiskilled Approach

Health care continues to change at a very rapid pace. Radiology is one specialty in the health care industry that has seen a tremendous change since its inception over 100 years ago. Technological advancements in radiologic health science, in conjunction with changes prompted by the new managed health care environment demands educational responses. The new focus on health care cost containment, quality, and efficiency mandates the need for multiskilled radiologic technologists. Therefore, the purpose of this study was: (1) to determine the need for baccalaureate-prepared multiskilled radiologic technologists in the State of Texas; and (2) define the knowledge and clinical skills multiskilled radiologic technologists in the State of Texas must possess to adapt to the needs of the new health care environment.

A causal comparative research design was employed using the cross-sectional survey method. The defined population consisted of radiology administrators who manage radiology departments at small, medium and large hospitals in the State of Texas; the sample was selected using stratified random sampling. A questionnaire was developed and mailed to 400 radiology administrators to assess their perceptions of the need for baccalaureate-prepared multiskilled radiologic technologists in the State of Texas and to determine the knowledge and clinical skills radiology administrators perceive as important in their departments. Four research hypotheses were tested using: Kruskal-Wallis one-way analyses of variance followed by Mann-Whitney U tests when pairwise comparisons were appropriate; and t-tests for unpaired samples.

Results of the study indicate that radiology administrators are undecided on the need for baccalaureate-prepared multiskilled radiologic technologists; however, they do perceive a need for multiskilled radiologic technologists in the State of Texas. Although some statistically significant differences were found when the perceptions of the groups of radiology administrators were compared, all three groups perceive a need for radiographers to be multiskilled in radiologic technology, non-imaging, refined customer satisfaction, and leadership skills.

These results indicate that radiology administrators are seeking practitioners with more than just technical skills; they are looking for multiskilled radiologic technologists who can be leaders and, most importantly, who are able to satisfy customers in today's competitive health care environment.

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