Improving radiographers’ and patients’ communication in the cardiac catheter laboratory (radiographer’s perspectives)

The National Health Services (NHS) radiography workforce is a vital part of the specialist cardiac team, providing rapid access to a range of high-quality and appropriate imaging during a critical period of the care pathway. Effective communication and interaction between cardiac radiographers and patients prior, during, and post-procedure can contribute not only to reducing procedural time but enhances patient care.
This qualitative study aimed to investigate cardiac radiographers’ communication, interaction when caring for patients undergoing radiological interventions at the catheterization laboratories. The research is based on individual interviews analysed using a thematic approach. “Communication and interaction between radiographers and patients (radiographer’s Perspective)” How we can develop radiographer’s and patient’s interactions so that communication in the cardiac catheterization laboratory could be improved?
Grounded theory provided an explanatory framework for the topic that was investigated because of its emphasis on the utilization of a variety of data sources that is grounded contexts, Structured interviews with 12 cardiac radiographers were used to understand their communication with patients and the factors that influence it. An open coding approach was used to analyze the data with both NVivo and Microsoft Word Process applications.
Results: Five main themes emerged and were investigated; 1, Interaction, Communication; Barriers and Challenges. 2. Radiobiological Effects; Patients and staffs. 3. Patient Care in Cardiac Radiography and 4. Multidisciplinary and Inter-Professional Meeting and 5. Patient Anxiety and fear-claustrophobic attacks.
Conclusion: The meaningful interaction and communication between cardiac radiographers and patients are dynamic for the care and treatment of patients. The three phases of communication) prior, during and post communication between radiographers and patients will not only empower patient’s awareness for the procedure but also encourage them to comply with directives from operators and reassure and comfort patients who are undergoing primary percutaneous coronary angioplasty and angiography. Guidelines and a model for effective communication have been developed, based on the study findings.