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Parents' received and expected information about their child's radiation exposure during radiographic examinations
Heljä T Oikarinen1, Anne M Perttu2, Helena M Mahajan2
1Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Oulu University Hospital, POB 50, 90029 OYS, Oulu, Finland. helja.oikarinen@ppshp.fi.
Insights
Parents want more information about their child's radiographic examinations, including purpose, radiation dose, and alternatives. Current communication is often inadequate, highlighting a need for improved patient education in pediatric radiology.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Pediatric Imaging
- Patient Communication
Background:
- Existing regulations provide insufficient pre-examination information to adult patients.
- Information gaps for pediatric patients undergoing radiologic examinations have not been systematically studied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To survey parents' experiences and information needs regarding their child's radiographic examinations.
- To assess parental satisfaction with information provided by referring physicians.
Main Methods:
- A questionnaire was administered to parents of children under 12 undergoing radiographic examinations.
- Parents were surveyed on information received, communication with the referrer, and future information preferences.
Main Results:
- Only 23% of parents received adequate information on alternative options and 7% on radiation dose.
- Parents desired more information on examination purpose (95%), radiation dose (88%), and alternatives (78%).
- Referrers were the preferred source of information, with radiation symbols and background radiation comparisons favored for dose communication.
Conclusions:
- Parents of pediatric patients feel inadequately informed about radiographic examinations.
- There is a clear need to enhance communication regarding the purpose, radiation dose, and alternative diagnostic options in pediatric radiology.
Background:
Despite regulations, insufficient information is provided to adult patients prior to their radiologic examinations. Information regarding paediatric patients has not been systematically studied.
Objective:
To survey parents' experience and wishes for information in connection with their child's radiographic examination.
Materials And Methods:
We provided a questionnaire to consenting parents of children younger than 12 years old at a university hospital. The questionnaire asked parents about the information obtained from the referrer prior to the radiograph, the chance to discuss with the referrer and their wishes regarding future information. Forty-one parents responded to the survey. Twenty-five children were referred for radiography of extremities, the others for dental, body and skull examinations.
Results:
Altogether 34/41 (83%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 69-91%) parents said they received adequate information on the purpose of the examination, 8/35 (23%, 95% CI 12-39%) on other options and 3/41 (7%, 95% CI 3-19%) on radiation dose. Ten of 41 parents (24%, 95% CI 12-40%) said they were aware of radiation exposure. The number of previous radiology examinations was not sufficiently discussed. The communication was scored as mean 6.5 (95% CI 5.8-7.1) on a scale from 4 (poor) to 10 (excellent). Thirty-eight of 40 (95%, 95% CI 84-99%) of parents expected information on the purpose, 35/40 (88%, 95% CI 74-95%) on radiation dose and 31/40 (78%, 95% CI 63-88%) on other options. Symbols of radiation and corresponding period of natural background radiation are preferred to convey the dose. A referrer is the preferred source of information.
Conclusion:
Parents did not feel adequately informed prior to their child's radiographic examination. Parents expect more information about the purpose, dose and alternative tests.
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