# Radiography students wishing to work in the field of radiation therapy: A French experience

## TL;DR

Few French radiography students want to work in radiation therapy due to psychological and educational barriers, requiring improved training and support.

## Contribution

Identifies barriers to radiation therapy careers and proposes solutions like better education and clinical placements.

## Key findings

- Low interest in radiation therapy among radiography students in France.
- Psychological and educational barriers are key reasons for disinterest.
- Enhanced training and clinical placements could attract more students to radiation therapy.

## Abstract

•Only few radiography students were interested in the field of radiation therapy in France.•Various reasons have been identified to explain this lack of interest including psychological and educational barriers.•Enhancing RT-specific education, improving clinical placements, addressing emotional resilience, and modernising training programmes are crucial to attract future RTTs.

Only few radiography students were interested in the field of radiation therapy in France.

Various reasons have been identified to explain this lack of interest including psychological and educational barriers.

Enhancing RT-specific education, improving clinical placements, addressing emotional resilience, and modernising training programmes are crucial to attract future RTTs.

Radiation therapy (RT) is one of the main treatment modalities for cancer. In France, radiation therapists (RTTs) undergo a combined training program in radiography, nuclear medicine, and RT. In the context of rising cancer cases and greater utilisation of RT, RT departments face a workforce shortage. This study investigates the interest of final-year radiography students in working in RT and explores deterrents to their career choice.

A survey was conducted in January 2024 among French radiography students who had completed at least 3 weeks of RT clinical placement. The survey included closed and open-ended questions on career preferences and highlighted barriers to working in RT. Data analysis included absolute number, frequency of students wishing to work in RT according to the age range of the students. A Chi square test was used to assess the influence of the age range on the desire to work in RT field. A thematic analysis of free-text responses was also performed.

The results indicated a low interest in a career in RT among students, with the main reasons being psychological and educational barriers. Enhancing RT-specific education, improving clinical placements, addressing emotional resilience, and modernising training programmes are crucial to attract future RTTs and address workforce shortages in this critical field.