The Relationship Between Cognitive Variables for Academic and Clinical Success After the Completion of One Year of Courses for Diagnostic Medical Sonography and Radiography Students

Abstract

Objective: Most health care programs have competitive entry and selective admission procedures. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between cognitive variables such as the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) composite scores, the preprogram academic grade point average (GPA), as well as clinical GPA for diagnostic medical sonography (DMS) or radiography (RT) students. Materials and Methods: The participants of this study were 26 imaging students. The convenient sample included 10 DMS and 16 RT students, enrolled in an Associate Degree in Applied Sciences program, within a community college. The student’s program success was examined over a period of one academic year. Results: The analysis of the findings determined that a significant relationship existed between some of the cognitive variables such as the TEAS composite scores, academics, as well as the clinical success for the DMS students. However, these RT students did not show the same outcome. In addition, there was no significant relationship between preprogram GPA and academic as well as clinical success, for either educational program. Conclusion: The results of this study provide empirical evidence that a strong relationship may exist between the TEAS composite scores, academics, as well as clinical success for the DMS students. This is an important finding that may support the use of the TEAS test, as part of the admission process, for other DMS programs.

The Relationship Between Employment Status and Prior Education to Academic and Clinical Success for Diagnostic Medical Sonography or Radiography Students

“…There are many studies that report a significant positive correlation between academic and clinical success, with the TEAS exam scores, across various health care programs. [22][23][24][25] This underlying relationship may have contributed to the outcome of this research.…”