Leadership in radiography : exploring radiographers’ experiences in leadership

Abstract

The roles of health professionals including radiographers, are evolving due to technological advancements, globalization, economic recession and an increased aging population. Leadership has been highlighted in literature that discusses the changing role of radiographers as being an essential component that professionals should have and practise, whether in clinical practice, research or education. It is within the changing context of increasing emphasis on leadership that this study sets out to explore leadership in radiography through the lived experiences of radiographers in the Wellington region of New Zealand.

The study is guided by the values of descriptive phenomenology; in particular the philosopher Edmund Husserl. Amedeo Giorgi’s modified scientific phenomenological method was employed for data analysis. Individual interviews and focus groups were used for data collection. The individual interview participants (n=5) were radiographers from the public and private sector. Three held formal leadership roles and the other two participants had no formal leadership roles. A leader from one of the sites, although having no radiography background was also included as a participant. The participants from the two focus groups were radiographers (n=6) and student radiographers (n=5) from the public sector, all with no formal leadership roles.

The findings of the study indicate that the themes, besides being interlinked, also build on each other. The following themes emerged from the study: definition, identity, relationship, characteristics, types and styles of leadership and followership styles, perceptions, expectations and ideal leadership, context and appointment, promotion and leadership development. These findings contribute knowledge and understanding of the lived experiences of leadership in radiography. It is anticipated that the findings may inform a wider study on leadership in radiography and inform future leadership development strategies for radiographers in New Zealand.