Developing an AHP Support Programme for Implementing Recruitment, Retention and Engagement (ASPIRRE)
Mandy Tuckey,
United Kingdom
PO-1032
Abstract
Developing an AHP Support Programme for Implementing Recruitment, Retention and Engagement (ASPIRRE)
Authors: Mandy Tuckey1, Nicky Hutton2, Spencer Goodman1
1Society of Radiographers, Professional and Education, London, United Kingdom; 2Society of Radiographers, professional and Education, London, United Kingdom
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Purpose or Objective
There are a wealth of resources available that support educators and clinicians to reduce attrition and improve retention of students and newly qualified staff within radiotherapy and other health care disciplines. There is no profession specific central online repository where resources can be uploaded, shared, reviewed and developed. A toolkit was produced from the findings of a Society of Radiographers, Health Education England funded project that explored the implementation of recruitment and retention initiatives from Reducing Pre-registration Attrition and Improving Retention (RePAIR) workstreams. The purpose of the ASPIRRE tool kit is to:
Identify areas of good practice, opportunities and resources to support recruitment and retention
Encourage synchronous and asynchronous collaboration and sharing of ideas
Promote innovation in recruitment and retention initiatives
Develop resources that can be used and adapted across multiple professional groups
Material and Methods
The toolkit was developed from the descriptive statistical analysis of a mixed method survey of 10 higher education institutions (HEIs) providing therapeutic radiography education, 51 radiotherapy healthcare providers and 20 therapeutic radiography students on a placement expansion programme, in England, alongside the thematic analysis of a series of one to one interviews and focus group discussions.
Results
6 key themes emerged from the data analysis that formed the priority areas of the toolkit
Effective recruitment initiatives (including outreach)
Effective retention initiatives including student support, return to practice
Strategies to increase student placement capacity (including simulation and non-traditional placements)
Placement allocation and funding support
Standardised clinical assessment documentation
Preparation for practice (including preceptorship)
Conclusion
Each priority area of the toolkit is populated with examples that includes:
Recruitment initiatives e.g. department open days, podcasts, virtual tours
Examples of buddy schemes and peer support programmes, non traditional placements including research, management, professional body internships. Examples of innovative working patterns to increase student training capacity
Simulation strategies and practical examples
Example templates to support students to secure placement accommodation
Initiatives from other professional groups that have implemented standardised assessments in clinical practice.
Transition to professional practice initiatives and preceptorship examples
The ASPIRRE toolkit enables a wide target audience to access a range of resources to be able to continue to develop new and existing ideas for supporting recruitment and retention initiatives, explore placement expansion and transformation agendas within radiotherapy. Examples can be added to ensure an up to date repository of current and future practice trends can be maintained. The transferable nature of the toolkit means it can be adapted by other healthcare professional groups.