Client and practitioner perspectives on the screening mammography experience

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Patient Experience
• Qualitative Research

Background:

• Mammography, a vital breast cancer screening tool, is often associated with patient discomfort and pain.
• Effective interventions to improve the mammography experience are limited, necessitating a deeper understanding of patient and staff perspectives.

Purpose of the Study:

• To understand the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors influencing and arising from mammography experiences.
• To capture the perspectives of both clients and mammography staff within UK breast screening programs.

Main Methods:

• Thematic analysis of semi-structured qualitative in-depth interviews.
• Conducted interviews with 22 clients and 18 mammography staff members.

Main Results:

• Clients generally hold positive attitudes towards breast screening but have limited knowledge of potential harms.
• Pain during mammography and coping mechanisms were significant themes, with considerable variation in reported pain levels.
• Client-practitioner interaction quality varied, with clients recognizing differences in mammographers' ability to alleviate anxiety.
• Staff faced challenges in empowering clients and maintaining compassionate care under demanding circumstances.

Conclusions:

• Future interventions should address women's information and support needs before appointments.
• Training and support for mammographers are essential to manage challenging patient encounters and enhance care quality.
• Improving the mammography experience requires a dual focus on patient support and staff development.