Auto- and hetero-stereotypes in radiography students: perspectives and comparisons.

Introduction: How groups view themselves and each other is very important in order to promote effective work practices. These views can be tribal in nature and lead to stereotyping which may affect how we communicate and act with other groups. This study primarily aims to identify how student radiographers view their own and other radiographic profession. Method: A survey was undertaken using the Student Stereotypes Rating Questionnaire with all radiographic training sites in England. The questionnaire was given to radiography students training as either diagnostic radiographers or therapeutic radiographers. It asked students to rate four professions: doctors, diagnostic radiographers, therapeutic radiographers and nurses on nine characteristics. Results: The online survey was open between February and July 2019 and elicited 233 responses. Overall, the radiography students' perceptions of their own profession and the other non-radiography professions were generally positive; however, each radiographic profession's view on the other radiographic professions was less favourable, the scores being significantly lower than for other professions. The professions each identified unique attributes (interpersonal skills, being a team player and independent working) that separated the professions from each other. Differences and similarities in stereotypes appeared not to change with time, although gender differences for certain attributes did exist. Conclusion: Students appear to have preconceived positive stereotype of their own profession and a more negative stereotype of the other radiography profession that appears relatively stable during their training period and was unaffected by interprofessional education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]