Importance of Informing Patients in Medical Imaging; Radiographers’ Opinion

Abstract

Background: Informing patients is one of the important tasks of radiographers that correct performance of this ultimately leads to greater efficiency of the diagnostic process, reduction of costs, greater satisfaction, relief of anxiety, and acceleration of the patient’s recovery process. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the views of radiographers regarding the importance of informing patients in various fields of medical imaging. Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 112/120 (93%) radiographers working in university hospitals of the west of Iran were studied by random sampling method and voluntarily. Data were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire that contains 13 specific questions on a 5- options Likert scale. After confirming the validity of content and reliability by retesting (α = 0.74), data were collected and analyzed using SPSS software version 15. Results: The knowledge of most radiographers regarding the importance of informing patients in the field of preparation before the examination (94.6%) and radiation protection (84.6%) was highly considered. 58% of radiographers considered informing on radiology equipment and examination procedure and 86.6% of radiographers considered informing on performing positions insignificant. The majority of radiographers considered informing patients in the field of preparation before the examination (80.4%), radiation protection (87.5%), and performing positions (95.5%) as their duty, while 40.1% of radiographers considered patient education about the equipment of radiology department and examination procedure is doctor’s duty and a specialized matter. Conclusions: Radiographers considered it important to inform patients about preparation before examination and radiation protection while patient educating about imaging equipment and how to perform the exam had no effect on the quality of the images produced. they stated informing patients about radiology equipment and examination procedure is the doctor’s duty.