A comparison of the frequency of death‐related events and their effect on undergraduate radiation therapy and education students

Abstract

A comparison of the frequency of death-related events and their eff ect on undergraduate radiation therapy and education students Abstract Purpose: Th is study investigates the frequency and nature of death-related events and their eff ect on attitude to life, relationships with other people, and career choices of 70 undergraduate radiation therapy students and 160 education students. Methods: Utilising a purposeful sampling method, a six-page self-administered questionnaire was distributed during a lecture to four cohorts of fi rst, second and third year radiation therapy students and to a group of primarily second year education students. Results: Approximately 90% of both cohorts had been exposed to the death of a relative before commencing their university studies. Th ree main themes emerged from an analysis of the responses: re-evaluating values and priorities; a desire to help others; and a heightened sense of empathy. A similar number of participants of both cohorts (64%) reported that being exposed to death had resulted in their lives becoming more meaningful. In contrast to education students, 50% of radiation therapy students attributed their career choice to having experienced the death of a relative, especially when cancer related. However, a previous death exposure did not appear to prepare some students for treating patients their own age, young patients or patients undergoing palliative radiation therapy. Conclusion: Th is study suggests that undergraduate radiation therapy students may benefi t from supervision by mentors and access to counselling services, regardless of their previous experiences with death. Future research aims to determine if access to counselling services should be off ered to all radiation therapists.