Technologists' Experience Providing Patient Education in a Pediatric Setting

To understand the challenges faced by radiologic technologists working in a pediatric setting when addressing patients' and caregivers' concerns about ionizing radiation exposure during imaging examinations and to determine how technologists' can increase their confidence when providing this information.

Qualitative data were collected from 7 pediatric radiologic technologists working at a large pediatric teaching hospital. Semistructured interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using MAXQDA software (VERBI Software).

Radiologic technologists' confidence declined when patients and caregivers requested detailed and specific radiation dose information. The most common concerns expressed by patients and caregivers were shielding, radiation dose, and the long-term effects of radiation exposure. In addition, the radiologic technologists reported that continuing education and patient education pamphlets could help improve their confidence when discussing radiation doses and risks with patients.

The pediatric radiologic technologists in this study reported challenges of providing radiation dose and risk information to patients and caregivers, especially when detailed or complex information was requested. Radiologic technologists might be apprehensive to provide detailed information to caregivers and patients because pediatric patients vary in size and the dose given. Furthermore, radiologic technologists might be concerned that patients will worry unnecessarily and potentially refuse imaging examinations. Patient and caregiver concerns identified in this study might be elevated because the patients are children.

There is a critical need to equip radiologic technologists with the tools necessary to enhance their self-efficacy in addressing pediatric patients' and their caregivers' concerns related to the use of ionizing radiation for medical imaging procedures.