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Diagnostic radiographers' experiences when interacting with the custodians of paediatric patients presenting for
S F Ketema1, R M Kekana1, H Essop1
1Department of Radiography, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X323, Arcadia, 0007, South Africa.
Insights
Radiographers face communication challenges with various custodians of pediatric patients, impacting imaging service delivery. Understanding these interactions is crucial for improving pediatric radiographic examinations and patient care.
Area of Science:
- Medical Imaging
- Radiography
- Pediatric Care
Background:
- Pediatric radiography involves complexities due to children's reliance on custodians.
- Limited research exists on radiographer interactions with diverse custodians of pediatric patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore radiographers' experiences with different custodians of pediatric patients.
- To assess custodian contributions to radiographic examination outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative, exploratory descriptive design.
- Purposive sampling of 25 radiographers in South Africa.
- Semi-structured interviews, audiotapes, field notes, and qualitative content analysis.
Main Results:
- Emergent themes: communication with custodians, radiographer role in suspected physical abuse (SPA), and radiation concerns.
- Varied communication and interaction challenges with custodians were experienced.
- Pediatric patient behavior influences radiographer-custodian interactions.
Conclusions:
- Diverse custodian interactions present challenges impacting pediatric imaging service delivery.
- Further research is needed on radiographers' roles in suspected physical abuse cases.
- Increased awareness of radiation protection and safety for professionals and the public is highlighted.
Introduction:
Radiographic imaging of children presents several complexities, one of which includes their reliance on an adult to take care of them. Literature reports on investigations that focused on interactions of healthcare professionals with children and their parents or guardians in the healthcare setting, but little is known about radiographers' interactions with different custodians of paediatric patients. This study sought to explore and describe the experiences of radiographers with the different custodians of paediatric patients and assess how these custodians contribute to the outcomes of radiographic examinations.
Methods:
A qualitative, exploratory descriptive design was undertaken. Purposive sampling was used to select 25 radiographers from four health institutions in the Tshwane region of South Africa. Semi-structured interviews, audiotapes and field notes were used to collect data. Qualitative content analysis was used to analyse the transcribed data.
Results:
The following three themes emerged, namely; a) communication with different custodians, b) a radiographer's role in suspected physical abuse (SPA) and c) radiographers' responsibilities and associated radiation concerns.
Conclusion:
Radiographers experienced different communication and interaction challenges in the imaging department with various custodians of paediatric patients. These impacted service deliveries. The paediatric patient's reaction in the imaging room might further affect the interaction between the radiographer and the custodian.
Implications For Practice:
There is a need for further studies that explore the concerns that radiographers have regarding their limited role in SPA. In addition, the study also adds to increasing awareness of both health professionals and the general public on radiation protection and safety.
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