The experience and opinions of teachers of radiography students regarding pressure ulcer prevention and management in x-ray departments

Abstract

As part of a survey of pre-registration radiography course providers about pressure ulcer education, we asked respondents to comment on their personal experience of pressure ulcer prevention and management in x-ray environments, and also to identify what they consider to be important issues in this area. Responses were received from 14 out of the 24 providers of radiography education in the UK. The qualitative data was content analysed. The data suggests that radiography teachers have varied experience and a range of opinion about pressure ulcer prevention and management. The evidence supports partially anecdotal comments made to one of the authors (DJ) that radiographers cannot be expected to have knowledge of pressure ulcer prevention and management. Clinical staff with experience of pressure ulcer prevention and management should be aware of the potential risks in x-ray departments and provide support and education to radiography colleagues.