In a recent patient review study, one patient answered, “Are the doctors communicating amongst themselves here? It would be so much better for the patient if they were collaborating as a team.” This statement goes for every health care professional in this hospital. Employee actions are not going unnoticed by patients. It’s essential for doctors to have a general understanding of radiology procedures in order to treat patients appropriately. Mandatory training for physician assistants on understanding radiology exams will enhance communication between P.A’s and technologists, clarify communication between P.A’s and patients, and eliminate unnecessary radiation exposure by ordering radiology exams appropriately.
Communication between technologists and P.A’s must improve. The constant struggle of being able to comprehend what the other wants is tiring and redundant. An understanding of radiology procedures and protocol is imperative. Patients deserve outstanding quality of care and a feeling of safety within this hospitals organization. It’s crucial that we take the patient’s safety into consideration when dealing with ionizing radiation.
Andreoli Cavalheiro stated that patient care is a complex process requiring various organized work dynamics from the healthcare team. The process involves clinical information for treatment decision-making and team communication to provide quality patient care. Communication amongst healthcare teams and knowledge about their patients has the highest impact on the continuum of care and prompt process organization (304). Ultimately, communication among professionals defines the quality of information and the quality of care (307). Training clinicians to understand radiology protocols would enha...
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Effective interactions between radiologic personnel and patients can make the patient’s visit pleasant and meaningful (Adler & Carlton, 2012). To interact effectively with patients, understanding the patients’ needs and concerns are important. Fields et al. (2011) illustrate that empathy is an important component of professionalism, and is mutually beneficial between medical staff members and patients across all health professions. Sim and Radloff (2009) assert that altruism is an important attribution of professionalism, and that it is the responsibility of the healthcare professional to place patient interest and well-being over monetary gain. Therefore, radiologic professionals acting altruistic and emphatic with patients leads to better patient compliance and fulfillment. As with most medical professionals, radiologic professionals have a great responsibility when interacting with patients. Patients tend to view medical staff as powerful and omniscient (Adler & Carlton, 2012). According to Yielder and Davis (2009), this dominance derives from the extraordinary knowledge, techniques, and skills of the medical staff. As a result, patients rely on professional’s competence to provide high quality healthcare. Professionalism in radiology involves the medical personnel breaking down dominance barriers and working together with patients to
Communication is cited as a contributing factor in 70% of healthcare mistakes, leading to many initiatives across the healthcare settings to improve the way healthcare professionals communicate. (Kohn, 2000.)
Curiosity has always driven me towards successful new experiences, from leaving home to become a first-generation college graduate to researching articles as a member of a radiology team. Now I am thrilled to be applying for a residency program where I can indulge my curiosity and immerse myself into the study of radiology.
As a medical assistant, I will tell the patients that we need to establish that radiographs are a necessary part of good patients care. Since we can’t see inside of our body, radiographs provide valuable information that we can’t visualize. I will also tell the patients that if they don’t want to take X-rays there will be a greater negative effect. I will also explain her that if we take X-rays, we will know how to taking care of her. If she refuse to take X-rays, we will not know about her health situation and there will be a big problems and it can also lead to death. I will reassure her that if you don’t take X-rays, we cannot give you the care you deserve without radiographs. So be prepare on the next visit for X-rays. If the patient refuse
rofessionals from different disciplines collaborating to provide care to patients. Effectively coordinated and collaborative inter-professional teams are essential to the care and treatment of patients (Rowlands & Callen, 2013; Doyle, 2008; Ruhstaller, Roe, Thürlimann & Nicoll, 2006; Simpson & Patton, 2012, p. 300). Communication is a process of conferring information between individuals through use of speech, writing or various other means, and is critical to the success of a multidisciplinary team (MDT) (Higgs, McAllister & Sefton, 2012, p. 5; Rowlands & Callen, 2013; Sargeant, Loney & Murphy, 2008). An MDT must use multiple strategies to enhance communication and ensure their success (Doyle, 2008). An effective MDT generates opportunities that benefit healthcare, which is the reason for the recent dominance of inter-professional care in health practice (Simpson & Patton, 2012, p. 300; Rowlands & Callen, 2013). Many barriers prevent effective communication within inter-professional teams. Lack of communication within MDTs presents challenges to their success, leading to numerous consequences, including the failure of the MDT (London Deanery, 2012; Sargeant et al, 2008). Communication between professionals is the key factor underpinning the potential success or failure of inter-professional teams, the outcome of the functioning of MDTs will either benefit or impair care of patients.
Qualitative research is regarded as an inductive process, which within natural settings attempts to produce insights on the subjective experiences, meanings, practices and point of views of those involved (Craig & Smyth, 2007). The aim here was to investigate factors influencing the communication styles used by the radiographers, therefore, allowing a better understanding to patient-centred care within diagnostic radiography.
Modern medicine is capable of treating a tremendous range of human disease and injuries, but the usefulness of all medical specialties depends on accurate diagnosis. Virtually every conceivable medical specialty relies on radiological technologies to provide formal diagnoses, making radiology one of the most important of all medical specialties. Radiologists enjoy some of the best working conditions in modern medicine and typically experience very positive employment conditions. Consequently, their services are generally in very high demand, with many starting out with six-figure annual incomes immediately after completion of their professional training.
Radiation therapists work closely with patients to fight cancer. According to Health Care Careers, Oncologists, Dosimetrists and nurses are some of the professionals that a radiation therapist works with while caring for a cancer patient. This group of professionals will determine a specialized treatment plan. The first step usually includes a CT scan performed by a radiologist to find the exact area that needs to be targeted with x-rays. Next, the therapist uses a special machine that emits radiation called a Linear Accelerator. They use this machine during a treatment called external beam therapy. During this process, the Linear Accelerator will project x-rays at targeted cancer cells or tumors. Another therapist will be in a different room monitoring the patient’s viral signs until the procedure is over. The external therapy l...
However, Radiographer A raised her concerns regarding patient’s safety to her colleagues. She also emphasized the necessity of lead shields for X-rays. Through this incident, the role of an implementer was observed in Radiographer A. By addressing concerns constructively, it aids to maintain the dynamics and structure of the team and promote teamwork (Risser et al., 1999). In view with the AHPC code of conduct, professionals ought to abide by all laws and regulations by the council (AHPC, 2013). This conduct should be sustained dutifully despite varying unforeseen circumstances such as time
The role of the radiologist is one that has undergone numerous changes over the years and continues to evolve a rapid pace. Radiologists specialize in the diagnoses of disease through obtaining and interpreting medical images. There are a number of different devices and procedures at the disposal of a radiologist to aid him or her in these diagnoses’. Some images are obtained by using x-ray or other radioactive substances, others through the use of sound waves and the body’s natural magnetism. Another sector of radiology focuses on the treatment of certain diseases using radiation (RSNA). Due to vast clinical work and correlated studies, the radiologist may additionally sub-specialize in various areas. Some of these sub-specialties include breast imaging, cardiovascular, Computed Tomography (CT), diagnostic radiology, emergency, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), musculoskeletal, neuroradiology, nuclear medicine, pediatric radiology, radiobiology, and Ultrasound (Schenter). After spending a vast amount of time on research and going to internship at the hospital, I have come to realize that my passion in science has greatly intensified. Furthermore, both experiences helped to shape up my future goals more prominently than before, which is coupled with the fact that I have now established a profound interest in radiology, or rather nuclear medicine.
During my half day shadowing of Memorial hospitals radiologist, Dr. Armah, I was able to observe several studies. These studies included several CT scans, and three PET/CT 18F-FDG scans. During my shadowing experience I was able to obtain a better understanding of how the radiologist reads images, what makes for good diagnostic images, and what role I play in the quality of the images. The shadowing experience was one of great importance as it proved to be very informative. Such information included technology impacts, various pathologies, and personal reflection on my role.
For this reason, it is imperative that individuals improve communication among these stakeholders. In the course of 4days in a hospital, a patient can come into contact with about 50 different employees including nurses, technicians and physicians. As a result, for effective clinical practice, critical information MUST be passed on with complete accuracy. According to Rosenstein & O’Daniel 2008, some of the obstacles to Interprofessional Collaboration and Communication include Gender, hierarchy, differences in languages and jargon, the diverse levels of preparation, qualifications and status, the complexity of the care, the historical Interprofessional and Interprofessional contentions, differences in professional routines and agenda, the emphasis on quick decision-making, the fear of diluting one’s professional identity among others. Additionally, those who have the most barriers tend to be physicians and nurses. Despite their numerous interactions in one day, they have differing perceptions about their responsibilities and roles concerning the requirements the patient may have so they end up having different goals for the patient. Due to the ethnic diversity
In the provision of a high quality care, many factors influence the way it is provided; however, IC is crucial. A healthy work environment would result from open communication among the staff, it would increase the employees and patients’ level of satisfaction and sense of well-being. Good communication is the cornerstone for the IC, it is a complex process which requires to develop some skills to learn how to transmit some information. One of the most common factors leading to medical errors, are due to miscommunication, sometimes because the message is not clearly sent, and others because it is not clearly received or it is misunderstood (Danna, 2015). In terms of communication non-verbal communication must be taken into consideration as well; body language, facial expressions, use of space, and touch, entail conscious or unconscious movements and gestures, also impacts the communication among the staff and
Radiographers provide essential services to millions of people. They deal with patients of all types and ages, from the very young to the elderly, as well as patients with special needs, such as visual or hearing impairments. Diagnostic radiographers produce high-quality images of organs limbs and other body parts to allow a wide range of diseases to be diagnosed. According to (The College of Radiographers -Registered Charity No 272505) May 2008. As a diagnostic radiographer, I am not confined to work in the x-ray department. I will x-ray patients in the accident and emergency department, on the wards, in the intensive care unit and in the operating theatre when patients are too ill to visit the x-ray department. Diagnostic radiographers work as part of a team and may work alone, outside normal working hours to provide x-ray services 24 hours a day. Wide ranges of imaging methods are used. These include ultrasound, MRI and CT scanning. Ranges of dyes or contrast agents are sometimes used to show soft tissue organs that would not appear on standard x-ray examinations e.g. arteries, the bowel and kidneys. (Medical Physics page 159-188)
I am attending Baton Rouge General School of Radiologic Technology to pursue an Associates degree through Northwestern State University to become a licensed radiologic technologist. I chose this profession because I thoroughly enjoy helping others and making a difference in people’s lives. Radiologic technologists are expected to give efficient patient care while following the doctor’s order to proceed with the X-ray examination. Radiology is the most important role in healthcare because with out having X-rays, the surgeons could not see inside of the patient’s body to perform surgery. Doctors can not predict what is going on inside of a patient without having an X-ray. I am interested in this being my future career because