Attitudes towards a career in radiation therapy

Abstract

Twenty-three diagnostic radiologic technologists and twenty-four radiation therapy technologists employed in six health care facilities (hospitals and a cancer center) in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex participated in a study to determine if there existed a difference in the two groups' attitude toward a career in radiation therapy. A researcher-developed Radiation Therapy Center Attitude Inventory (RTCAI) was designed to assess individuals' attitude toward working in the field of radiation therapy. The instrument's content validity and ex post facto reliability was determined. The Cronbach Alpha reliability was found to be 0.747. Subjects' mean scores were determined and utilized in t-test analysis of five hypotheses. There was no significant difference in attitudes demonstrated by the two groups of technologists toward a career in radiation therapy. Yet, orientation and learning experiences in radiation therapy may be a viable strategy to assist students to learn about this career.