Communication is essential for everyday life and is at the core of every professional practice.Due to essential role of communication in patients care there is need to study the nature of communication between the patients and the Radiographers in the radiology department. 

        A total of 169 patients and the radiographers were assessed using a semi-structured  questionnaires for both patients and the radiographers. The questionnaires were distributed to patients who had had their examination and are waiting for their result.  

        The findings of the study revealed various communication methods used by the radiographers while carrying out their radiological investigation 53% of them used body language to demonstrate and communicate to patients when they seem not to understand the verbal instructions.

        The study shows that severity of patient condition is responsible for 53.8%  communication barrier while use of medical term accounts for 50% from patients perspective. 

Out of a total of 169 patients assessed 76.9%said they were pre-informed about the examination.

        The findings also showed that 53.8% and 38.5% of patient studied were satisfied and very satisfied respectively with communication during their examination; however 7.7%were unsatisfied. This is relatively very small, thus one can say that there is effective communication in radiology department studied.

The study showed that a good number of radiographers observed the principles of good radiographer-patient communication like greeting the patient, introducing himself or herself etc; but there is still need to improve in area of empathy, and making the patient comfortable because their importance in satisfactory health care delivery cannot be overemphasized.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title page i 

Dedication ii

Approval page iii

Certification iv

Acknowledgement v

Table of Contents vi

Abstract vii 

List of Tables viii

List of figures ix  

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of Study 1

1.2 Statement of Problem 5

1.3 Purpose of the Study 6

1.4 Significance of the Study 7

1.5 Scope of the study 7

CHAPTER TWO 

2.1 Review of related literature 8

2.2 Theoretical background 18

2.2.1 Forms of communication 19

2.2.2 Communication skills 20

2.2.3 Necessities for  effective communication 23

2.2.4 barriers to effective communication 28  

CHAPTER THREE

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1 Research design 35

3.2 Population of study 35

3.3 Source of data 36

3.4 Method of data collection 36

3.5 Sample size 37

CHAPTER FOUR

DATA ANALYSIS AND PRESENTATION 38

CHAPTER FIVE

DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS, SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, RECOMMENDATION, AND CONCLUSION

5.1 Discussion of findings 51

5.2 Summary of findings 54

5.3 Conclusion 55

5.4 Limitations of study 47

5.5 Recommendations 56

REFERENCES

APPENDIX    

LIST OF TABLES AND FIGURES

 

INTRODUCTION 

The quality and success of health care is largely affected by the level of communication and good rapport between the radiographer and the patient1. communication in medical imaging is a neglected area of research, despite the necessity of good communication  if optimum diagnostic images are to be achieved. Medical radiographers are too busy and focused to produce radiographs  and thus may think that explaining radiological procedure to patient and establishing good rapport via communication  is wasting of their  precious time1  forgetting that the patient  perception of general care, rating of profession and overall satisfaction all lie on effective interaction and communication. This is because most of them will not see the radiographs you are eager to produce, they will only rate you  as a good or bad radiographer based on the way you handle and communicate with them2. The Radiographer-patient communication is essential for the delivery of high quality health care in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. It forms one of the foundation of contemporary medical ethics. Radiographer-patient relationships can be strengthened and patient outcomes improved through effective communication.2

without face-to- face patient communication a critical components is missing in the healing/diagnostic process.1,            Also, it is important to realize that in our current health care system, patient sensitization is a patients’ right and care providers are  responsible for providing this  enlightment.3 evidence also suggests that patient- radiographer communication or care is associated with a higher rate of patient satisfaction and improved safety, efficiency and prescribed treatment leading to better patient outcomes. 

It is necessary to state here the importance of confidence in the radiographer-patient communication. This issue bothers on the fact that a patient must have confidence in the competency of the radiographer and the patient must feel that they can confide in him /her.3 

It should however be noted that the quality of radiographer patient communication is important to both parties. The better the communication in terms of mutual respect, knowledge, trust, shared values and perspective about disease and life and time available , the better will be the amount and quality of information about the patient condition thereby, enhancing  accuracy of diagnosis, but where such a relationship is poor, the radiographers ability to make a full assessment is compromised and the patient is more likely to distrust the diagnosis and purpose treatment causing decreased compliance in following the instruction 4,5.

The American registry of radiological technologists and the American society of radiological technologists code of ethics outlines expectations for good communication practices in medical imaging 5,6 it is the duty of radiographers to adhere to  these ethical standards in order to provide quality patient care and maintain the integrity of the profession. Proper patient communication provides the means to achieve those standards and includes displaying professional conduct toward patient; having an attitude of respect toward other professionals and the patient; and the responsibility to act as a patient advocate through all aspect of the patients’ care.5 

        As it is commonly said “if your are not informed, you are deformed”. Radiographers need to explain the procedure and provide the patient with instructions about what will be required  of him or her to complete the examination successfully; this is important because radiographers need to  ensure the patient understands the  explanation and instructions7.  Communication is a 2 way process, so radiographers must welcome patient participation and encourage patients to ask question about any concerns they may have5. Radiographers sometimes fail to remember that although performing the same type of procedures day in and day out is common to them, patients are often experiencing the particular examination for the first time. They are novice, scared and unsure, and require excellent communication and instruction from the radiographer to guide them through the process and thereby complying with the instructions given to them to achieve a better diagnostic image.