Full Text Available

Note: Clicking the button above will open the full text document at the original institutional repository in a new window.

The development of a mobile application to enhance fetal radiation dose monitoring among pregnant Radiographers

Thesis (PhD(Radiography))--University of Pretoria, 2024.

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Other Authors: Kekana, Mable
Format: Thesis
Language:English
Published: University of Pretoria 2024
Subjects:
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1867613681300275200
access_status_str Open Access
author2 Kekana, Mable
author_browse Kekana, Mable
author_facet Kekana, Mable
collection Thesis
dc_rights_str_mv © 2023 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria.
description Thesis (PhD(Radiography))--University of Pretoria, 2024.
format Thesis
id oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/97242
institution University of Pretoria (South Africa)
language English
last_indexed 2026-06-10T12:40:00.824Z
license_str Other — see source repository
provenance_str_mv Harvested via OAI-PMH from UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository
publishDate 2024
publishDateRange 2024
publishDateSort 2024
publisher University of Pretoria
publisherStr University of Pretoria
record_format dspace
source_str UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository
spelling oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/97242 The development of a mobile application to enhance fetal radiation dose monitoring among pregnant Radiographers Kekana, Mable hafsa.essop@up.ac.za Smuts, Hanlie Essop, Hafsa UCTD Mobile application Pregnant Radiographer Fetal dosimetry Radiation dose Design Science Research Methodology Occupational health Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) SDG-03: Good health and well-being Health Sciences theses SDG-03 SDG-17: Partnerships for the goals Health Sciences theses SDG-17 Thesis (PhD(Radiography))--University of Pretoria, 2024. Introduction: Ionising radiation has the potential to have harmful effects on cells. The risk of these effects increases in a fetus whose tissues are still developing. The effects of radiation, which depend on the amount of exposure received, can present as deterministic or stochastic effects. Based on this theory, occupational health and safety are heightened for the pregnant radiographer who is required to wear a special dosimeter to record and monitor the fetal dose exposure. This process is self-regulated by the pregnant radiographer. In the clinical department, it was observed that pregnant radiographers have inconsistent methods of recording and monitoring their fetal dose. Therefore, the study aimed to develop a mobile application to support and enhance fetal dosimetry among pregnant radiographers. Methods: The research followed a design science research (DSR) paradigm and the behaviour change, user-centred and social marketing (BUS) framework, which guided the objectives of this study. The study adopted a mixed methods research design, incorporating five major phases, aligned with the DSR paradigm, namely 1) Problem Awareness, 2) Suggestion, 3) Development, 4) Evaluation and 5) Conclusion. In Problem Awareness, the reviewed literature highlighted the problem as it exists in the literature as well as a situational analysis into the problem as it exists in the context of this study. In the Suggestion phase, recommendations are made towards addressing the problems identified in literature and the situational analysis. In the Development phase, two cycles took place. Firstly, prototype design, which adopted a design thinking methodology. Secondly, the Mobile App Development Lifecycle (MADL) to develop and test the final app. In the Evaluation phase, pregnant radiographers engaged with the app in the real-life setting. Qualitative interviews were then conducted to ascertain the usability and usefulness of the app. Results: In DSR Step 1, the study identified a lack of literature regarding pregnant radiographer compliance towards fetal dosimetry, presenting a gap in the literature. The problem awareness through the situational analysis revealed inconsistent fetal dose recording and monitoring. The study concluded that pregnant radiographers needed support regarding fetal dosimetry. This suggestion is a mobile application encompassing core functional areas such as dose tracking and education to address some of these challenges. In DSR Step 3, the prototype was designed by its actual users, who named the app PregiDose. The users further uncovered that pregnant radiographers suffer from decreased emotional well-being in the clinical setting and required support. The final app was then developed in collaboration with software engineers. In DSR Step 4, the pregnant radiographers who had been interviewed after engaging with the app revealed that it was both easy to use (usability) and useful. However, they recommended automation, whereby the doses from the dosimeter could be linked to the app automatically. Conclusion: DSR Step 5 corresponds to the conclusion of the research process. The study has highlighted that a mobile application for pregnant radiographers can enhance fetal dose monitoring. The research made the following contributions: first, to the field of research by describing the rigorous process of development and evaluation, and second, to the field of radiography and radiation protection, demonstrating that technology can be used to facilitate occupational health and safety and, in line with the pragmatic nature of the DSR paradigm, solve a real-life problem. NRF - BAAP2204143433 University Capacity Development Program (UCDP) Department of Higher education Radiography PhD (Radiography) Unrestricted Faculty of Health Sciences 2024-07-25T09:33:27Z 2024-07-25T09:33:27Z 2024-09-02 2024-07-24 Thesis * S2024 http://hdl.handle.net/2263/97242 https://figshare.com/s/674b8732129d98df8e0c en © 2023 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. application/pdf University of Pretoria
spellingShingle UCTD
Mobile application
Pregnant Radiographer
Fetal dosimetry
Radiation dose
Design Science Research Methodology
Occupational health
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
SDG-03: Good health and well-being
Health Sciences theses SDG-03
SDG-17: Partnerships for the goals
Health Sciences theses SDG-17
The development of a mobile application to enhance fetal radiation dose monitoring among pregnant Radiographers
title The development of a mobile application to enhance fetal radiation dose monitoring among pregnant Radiographers
title_full The development of a mobile application to enhance fetal radiation dose monitoring among pregnant Radiographers
title_fullStr The development of a mobile application to enhance fetal radiation dose monitoring among pregnant Radiographers
title_full_unstemmed The development of a mobile application to enhance fetal radiation dose monitoring among pregnant Radiographers
title_short The development of a mobile application to enhance fetal radiation dose monitoring among pregnant Radiographers
title_sort development of a mobile application to enhance fetal radiation dose monitoring among pregnant radiographers
topic UCTD
Mobile application
Pregnant Radiographer
Fetal dosimetry
Radiation dose
Design Science Research Methodology
Occupational health
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
SDG-03: Good health and well-being
Health Sciences theses SDG-03
SDG-17: Partnerships for the goals
Health Sciences theses SDG-17
url http://hdl.handle.net/2263/97242
https://figshare.com/s/674b8732129d98df8e0c