Student selection in radiography education. A narrative review

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging Education
• Higher Education Admissions
• Radiography Program Selection

Background:

• Radiography student selection significantly impacts higher education institutions and applicants.
• Limited research exists on effective radiography student selection methods and content.
• This study addresses the need to understand selection criteria and their relation to academic success.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe current radiography student selection methods and content.
• To identify factors within selection processes that correlate with study success.
• To provide evidence-based recommendations for radiography admissions.

Main Methods:

• A narrative review of quantitative, retrospective studies published between 2000 and 2021.
• Computerized searches were conducted across four major databases.
• Ten studies were included, analyzing 23 distinct selection methods and 44 content factors.

Main Results:

• Interviews, Scholastic Aptitude Test, American College Test, and reference letters were common selection methods.
• Learning skills (mathematics, physics, biology, anatomy, physiology, natural sciences) were the most assessed content.
• Learning skills factors predicted study success, whereas social skills, personality traits, and career choice did not.

Conclusions:

• Current radiography student selection methods and assessed content exhibit significant variability.
• The findings support the inclusion of learning skills, social skills, personality traits, and career choice content in selection processes.
• Further research is recommended to validate methods and content, particularly within the European context.