The role of primary healthcare exposure in shaping clinical competence of radiologic technology interns

This study explores how primary healthcare with related learning experience impacts the clinical performance of Radiologic Technology graduates during their internship program. Motivated by the growing expectation for radiologic technologists to deliver patient-centered care beyond technical imaging skills, the researchers explored whether integrating Primary Health Care (PHC) principles through Related Learning Experience (RLE) enhances the clinical readiness of the graduates during their internship. The primary goal of the study was to investigate how integrating PHC with RLE helps bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, by assessing the relationship between students’ academic performance in PHC and their clinical performance during internship. Additionally, the study aimed to assess student perceptions of PHC’s impact on core clinical competencies such as patient communication, handling, vital signs assessment, documentation, and familiarity with clinical areas. A descriptive quantitative research design was employed, involving 36 purposively and conveniently selected graduates from the 2015–2019 batches of Calayan Educational Foundation Calayan Educational Foundation Inc., who completed both PHC with RLE and Clinical Education I. Results showed a significant positive correlation between academic performance in PHC and clinical internship grades, indicating that students who performed well in PHC-related subjects also demonstrated better clinical performance. However, the survey data showed no significant relationship between students' perceptions and their actual clinical grades. The study concludes that integrating PHC through RLE contributes meaningfully to student’s preparedness and competence in clinical settings, supporting evidence-based education that strengthens both foundational knowledge and applied skills.