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The link between post-qualification experience and self-confidence ratings in two problem-solving domains: a study of radiation therapists

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 December 2007

Helena Ferris
Affiliation:
Department of Radiation Therapy, School of Medicine,Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
Kenneth McKenzie*
Affiliation:
UCD Geary Institute, University CollegeDublin, Ireland
Kevin Thomas
Affiliation:
School of Psychology, Trinity College Dublin,Ireland
Agnella Craig
Affiliation:
Department of Radiation Therapy, School of Medicine,Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
*
Correspondence to: Kenneth Mckenzie, UCD Geary Institute, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland. E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract

Recognising one’s abilities and limits in clinical tasks is a valuable part of professionalism. This study investigated the self-ratings of problem-solving confidence of radiation therapists (RTs) in two domains: clinical scenarios and critical thinking items (CTIs). We divided the 60 participants into three groups based on post-qualification experience (PQE), and found that greater PQE was linked with higher self-rated confidence for clinical scenarios, but not for CTIs.

Type
Original Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2007

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