A Qualitative Approach to Understanding the Effects of a Caring Relationship Between the Sonographer and Patient

The concept of caring is rapidly becoming an area of interest in healthcare research, especially in medical imaging. While patients, academic institutions, hospitals and policy makers have an expectation for healthcare professionals to be caring, the effects of such a relationship between patient and professional is equally important to understand. Within sonography, a discipline of radiography, there is limited literature on this concept.

The purpose of the main study was to explore and describe the sonographers' experiences of being caring professionals within private practices in the province of Gauteng, South Africa. This paper focuses on one essential theme that emerged from the study: the effects of a caring relationship between sonographer and patient. Guidelines to enhance caring relationships are also provided.

A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive, contextual, phenomenology research design was utilised. Four focus group interviews (n = 14) were conducted with qualified sonographers working in the private sector, in Gauteng. Data collection took place until data saturation was reached.

Sonographers described caring for their patients as having both positive and negative effects on themselves. Sonographers explained having developed protective mechanisms to help them when caring for tenacious patients. There was also a sense of emotional and psychological strain identified. Despite this, sonographers displayed a sense of professional pride for their careers.

Guidelines were developed to alleviate the emotional and psychological strains sonographers are burdened with. These guidelines included; the facilitation of a supportive and healing environment through reflective practice, availability of a psychologist, and having a tea garden at work.