Untitled Deck Flashcards
What are the good communication skills of a radiographer?
- Fulfilling the patient’s needs (medical, emotional, physical)
- Being able to effectively direct a patient’s actions. This means getting the patient to cooperate for the exam i.e., proper positioning and breathing instructions.
- Obtaining the patient’s cooperation.
Why is patient cooperation essential in radiography?
It is essential for obtaining quality radiographs and reassures the patient during the exam.
- Patients respond positively to your gentle touch and calming voice.
Radiographers Communication Skills
BE-Patient care communication must be patient-focused.
BE-Communication needs to be accurate and timely
REMEMBER-Always remember to consider communication and relating to the patients family and visitors
COMMUNICATE- As a technologist, communicate within your Scope of Practice.
What is the importance of feedback in communication?
-Feedback is the response from the patient,
-which can be verbal or non-verbal,
-Nonverbal feedback would include the patient successfully being able to assume a radiographic position.
Patient Needs
Understand that if patients had a choice between visiting a nice restaurant and visiting the x-ray department, they would naturally choose…!
Fear of the unknown is profound.
They fear loss of control.
Emotions may be unnatural.
Fearful of possible pain and discomfort.
Apprehensive about exam results.
Your Personal Needs as a Technologist
Helping others
Working with people
Making a difference
Thinking critically
Demonstrating creativity
Achieving results
When personal needs are met, experiencing increased confidence in technical abilities as well is not unusual. The patient often perceives this confidence as competence.…
What is palpation?
The application of light pressure with the palm or fingers to locate a body landmark.
What should you do before touching a patient?
Always talk BEFORE you touch.
What is false imprisonment in the context of radiography?
The unlawful confinement of a person within a fixed area, such as holding them on an x-ray table.
What are the seven levels of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs?
- Self-Actualization
- Aesthetics
- Need to know and understand
- Self Esteem and Respect
- Belongingness and Love
- Safety and Security
- Physiologic (Food, Shelter, Clothing, Sexual gratification)
How does Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs progress?
Each level must be satisfied before progression to the next level is possible.
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
People strive from a basic level of physiologic needs toward a level of self-actualization.
Each level of needs must be satisfied before an individual proceeds to the next level.
Patients are often at the lower levels of Maslow’s hierarchy.
What factors can guide patient behaviors and emotions?
Sometimes patients can seem angry, aggressive or despondent as a result of their circumstances.
Loss of control,
uncertain outcomes,
unfamiliar environment
physical and mental distress.
Patient Dignity
Deals with a patient’s self-esteem
Patients feel a strong loss of power over their fate.
Embarrassing situation that they feel isolates them from others
Loss of privacy and access to loved ones
Feelings of guilt on several fronts
Referencing them in an impersonal, “slang” fashion: BE patient, mammo patient, stomach patient, etc.
What is dignity in the context of patient care?
The ability to function as a significant and integrated person, often associated with loss of control.
Patient Dignity
As a radiographer, you can ensure a patient’s dignity by focusing on their needs and treating them with respect
at all times. The radiographer should:-
Gain the patient’s confidence
Offer support
Position with sensitivity
Treat with empathy
Always address the patient with respect
What is empathy?
the ability to recognize and to some extent share the emotions and state of mind of another and to understand the meaning and significance of that person’s behavior.
Who should receive respect and care in the radiology department?
Friends and relatives accompanying the patient.
Respect and care must also be extended to friends, and relatives that may accompany the patient to the Radiology Department. Often friends and family assume the role of being a voice for the patient and they also may be anxious, nervous and stressed.
Who should provide the results of radiology studies to the patient?
The referring physician.
Initial Patient Interaction
Patient Assessment
Use their name and ask preference
Confirm identity
Introduce yourself
Explain the procedure in terms they can understand
Obtain a brief and relevant history
Obtain Informed. Consent, if required
What is a contraindication?
A condition which makes a particular treatment or procedure inadvisable.
What is verbal communication?
A method of communication that relies on speech, dialogue, and quality of interactions.
What is non-verbal communication?
Communication that relies on methods other than actual speech, such as body gestures and facial expressions.
What should be observed in seriously ill and traumatized patients?
Pain, stress, anxiety, and vital signs for changes.
What should you do when interacting with visually impaired patients?
Always announce your presence and identify yourself by name.
What is important when communicating with speech and hearing impaired patients?
Use visual or written directions, demonstrations, and speak slowly.
What should you do for non-English speaking patients?
Use an interpreter and guide patients with touch and demonstration.
How should you interact with mentally ill and impaired patients?
Talk to the patient throughout the procedure and utilize the aid of an attendant or family member.
What should you ensure for substance-abusing patients?
Make sure the patient is safe and cannot hurt themselves during care.
What is portable x-ray?
Bedside radiography using portable x-ray equipment when patients cannot travel to the department.
What is important to remember when interacting with patients who may appear comatose?
They may still be able to hear you, so communicate as you position them.
What should be considered when interacting with pediatric patients?
Address their emotional and physical needs and explain procedures in terms they can understand.
What is important when interacting with geriatric patients?
Treat them with respect, use gentle handling, and give clear directions.
What are the phases of grief according to Elizabeth Kubler-Ross?
- Denial and isolation
- Anger
- Bargaining
- Depression
- Acceptance
What should you do if you are struggling with grief after a patient’s death?
Talk to your instructor or supervisor about speaking with a grief counselor.
Inpatient
Someone who has been admitted to the hospital for diagnostic studies or treatment.
Generally, occupy a hospital bed for 24 hours or longer.
Previous hospital stay experiences often shape their attitude coming into medical imaging.
Outpatient
Someone who has come to the hospital or outpatient center for diagnostic testing or treatment but does not usually occupy a bed overnight.
Often arrive to radiology with pre-conceived expectations.
Usually have outside schedules or commitments to keep.
Expect to be cared for on time, according to a scheduled appointment time.
Results of X-rays
The results of radiology studies are never given to the pt or a family member by the radiographer.
Requests for info and results should be directed to the referring physician.
Before x-raying or assisting patients check for contraindications.
Contraindication: A condition that makes a particular treatment or procedure inadvisable.
i.e., a non-weight bearing pt should not stand for an upright CXR.
Methods of Effective Communication
Verbal Communication – method of communication which relies on speech, dialogue, and quality of interactions. Verbal communication uses the spoken or written word.
Vocabulary
Clarity of voice
Diction (pace and intonation)
Note: Intonation – can express emotions
Non-verbal Communication
“Paralanguage” relies on the transference of messages or direction through methods other than the actual speech. Some examples of non-verbal communication are body gestures, touch, physical appearance, and facial expressions.
The majority (between 80-90% of communications are non-verbal.
Visual contact
Touch/ palpation
Professional Appearance
Physical Presence
Body Language
Touching a patient
Touching for emotional support: (using touch to reassure a patient i.e., holding a hand for comfort)
Touching for emphasis: (helping to position a patient i.e., gently helping to turn the hand laterally for a certain position)
Touching for palpation: (locate body landmarks)
Legal Issue
Battery - unlawful touching of another person that is without justification or cause.
Touching without consent or explanation.
· Performing a study against a patient’s will.
· Physical harm as the result of an exam.
· May include x-raying the wrong patient, part.
Palpation
The application of light pressure with the palm of the hand or several fingers to locate a body landmark.
Never palpate or touch a patient without first explaining to them what it is you are going to do and why it is necessary
Always talk BEFORE you touch
What are the various types of Patients?
- Seriously Ill and Traumatized Patients
- Visually Impaired Patients
3.Speech and Hearing Impaired - Non –English Speaking Patients
- Mentally Ill and Impaired Patients
6.Substance Abuser
Who are Seriously Ill patients?
Seriously Ill and Traumatized Patients
* Observer you patients for pain, stress and anxiety.
* Patients may not be able to communicate or cooperate.
* May be unconscious
* Evaluate vital signs and watch for changes.
* Work quickly and efficiently.
A seriously Ill or injured patient may not be able to tell you that they are having chest pain or difficulty breathing. It is the radiographer’s responsibility to watch the patient for changes and respond appropriately.
Visually Impaired Patients
*Always announce your presence and identify yourself by name.
*Will rely on verbal communication and touch.
*Ask the patient how you may assist them i.e. they may ask to hold your elbow as you guide them to the exam room.
*Explain the sounds and environment i.e. sounds of the rotating x-ray tube.
Speech and Hearing Impaired
- Direction may be visual or written
- Demonstration
- Sign language
- If the patent can read lips- speak slowly and make you are facing the even you speak
- Decrease background noises if possible
- Talk slowly and clearly to your patient – shouting is in appropriate
- You may be able to write down your instructions for your patients.
Non –English Speaking Patients
- Use an interpreter, either a family member or a another health care worker
- Often hospitals have a list of language interpreters and staff
- Use basic language (i.e. yes, no, and stop)
- Guide patients with touch and demonstration
- Address your questions to your patient not the interpreter.
Mentally Ill and Impaired Patients
- Protocol with depend on the amount of impairment
- Talk to the patient throughout the procedure
- Utilize the aid of the attendant or family member that accompany the patient
- Immobilization techniques may be necessary
- Give simple instructions that can be understood
Substance Abuser
- Patients are often disoriented and uncooperative
- Expect all types of behavior, i.e. relaxed, hyper, abusive and uncooperative are just a few.
- Immobilization may be necessary
- Make sure your patient is safe and cannot hurt themselves in your care, i.e. falling from the x-ray table.
Mobile and Surgical Radiography
Introduce yourself
Treat the patient with respect and maintain their dignity
Explain the procedure and why they must leave the immediate area during exposure.
Showing empathy is a very powerful tool when dealing with a patient’s family and friends.
Under no circumstances should the technologist assume that a patient does not comprehend comments that are made within the patient’s range of hearing.
Degree of patient comprehension
Degree of patient comprehension and cooperation will depend on the age of the patient.
