Facilitating Computed Tomography Education in Clinical Practice

Clinical placements are vital for radiography students to consolidate knowledge and develop computed tomography (CT) skills. Whilst CT principles are commonly introduced in university curricula, teaching approaches during clinical placements remain variable and under-described. Clinical radiographers supervising students often balance service delivery with education, frequently without structured guidance. This educational article presents a practical framework to support CT education in clinical settings, organised into five interrelated domains: psychological safety, logistics, key CT teaching points, approaches to clinical instruction and competence assessment. Drawing on existing literature and authors' collective clinical and academic experience, the paper outlines strategies embedded within routine CT workflow to support intentional and staged student learning. Practical examples include orientating students to the CT environment, establishing baseline knowledge, aligning teaching with clinical workflow, scaffolding learning according to student readiness and using performance-based assessment methods appropriate to workplace learning. Challenges, including limited scanner access, variable student preparedness and time constraints, are addressed with pragmatic recommendations to support learning. The framework aims to support consistent, learner-centred CT education and strengthen collaboration between clinical supervisors and academic educators. Our team's future work will focus on developing co-designed resources for clinical CT education, designed to be cross-institutional and adaptable to local needs.