Developing a sensation information message for femoral arteriography

Area of Science:

• Medical Procedures
• Patient Experience
• Diagnostic Imaging

Background:

• Sensation information can decrease patient distress during threatening healthcare events.
• Developing effective sensation information messages requires understanding patient experiences.
• Femoral arteriography is a diagnostic procedure that can cause patient distress.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe and validate common physical sensations experienced by patients undergoing femoral arteriography.
• To identify the content for sensation information messages for this procedure.
• To provide a basis for reducing patient distress during femoral arteriography.

Main Methods:

• A systematic, theory-based methodology was employed.
• A three-stage survey design included tool development, patient interviews, and response validation.
• Observation of the procedure and pilot-testing of interview schedules were conducted.

Main Results:

• Twenty-one patient-aware steps of the femoral arteriography procedure were identified.
• Nine common 'feeling' sensations, along with associated sights and sounds, were determined.
• The sequencing, duration, and environmental aspects of the procedure were documented.

Conclusions:

• Common physical sensations during femoral arteriography have been described and validated.
• This information is crucial for developing effective sensation information messages.
• The findings contribute to strategies for mitigating patient distress during medical procedures.