Lived Experiences of Radiologic Technology Interns During Clinical Duty

Abstract

Radiologic Technology internship represents a critical transition from academic preparation to clinical practice; however, this transition remains insufficiently examined in relation to interns’ lived experiences. This study explored the lived experiences of Radiologic Technology interns during clinical duty in hospital settings. A qualitative descriptive phenomenological design was employed, utilizing in-depth semi-structured interviews with selected participants until data saturation was achieved. The analysis generated three major themes: Caseload Exposure Gradient, Temporal Exposure Flux, Resonance Calibration. Findings revealed a gap between theoretical instruction and clinical application, as interns encountered difficulties in managing workload demands, adapting to clinical environments, and handling diverse patient interactions, resulting in emotional strain and pressure in task performance. Professional values such as empathy, patience, and accountability were developed through actual clinical exposure rather than prior academic preparation. Furthermore, confidence and readiness emerged progressively through repeated task performance and experiential learning. These findings highlight the need to strengthen academic preparation, enhance clinical support, and integrate experiential and emotional readiness in internship programs. Keywords: coping strategies, lived experiences, overall well-being, radiologic technology interns, time pressure, workload