Using touch to enable patient care in radiography.

Area of Science:

• Healthcare
• Radiology
• Patient Experience

Background:

• The role of touch in patient care is under-explored within radiology.
• Existing literature in radiologic technology has not fully addressed the positive applications of touch.
• Touch is a recognized therapeutic modality in other healthcare fields.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the potential benefits of using touch in patient care within radiology departments.
• To bridge the gap in current radiologic technology literature regarding the application of touch.
• To review existing literature from other disciplines to understand how touch can improve patient care.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies from various fields, not exclusively radiology.
• Synthesis of findings from diverse sources to identify common themes and applications of touch.
• Analysis of how touch has been conceptualized and utilized to improve patient care in other contexts.

Main Results:

• Touch can be a valuable tool for improving patient comfort and reducing anxiety during radiological procedures.
• Interpersonal touch, when applied appropriately, can foster trust and enhance the patient-provider relationship.
• Evidence from other fields suggests touch can positively impact physiological and psychological patient outcomes.

Conclusions:

• Radiology departments should consider integrating the therapeutic use of touch into patient care protocols.
• Further research is warranted to specifically investigate the efficacy and best practices of touch in radiological settings.
• Adopting a more holistic approach to patient care in radiology can be achieved by acknowledging and utilizing the power of touch.