A Rad Tech Guide to Effective Communication with Patients
Introduction
Effective patient communication is a vital component of patient care that is sometimes overlooked and devalued. Communication is both an art and a science, with the art being the establishment of a human connection with the patient, and the science being the use of tools and technologies that make such relationships possible. As social creatures, people require assistance from others, particularly when they are at their most vulnerable. Rad techs, like the rest of the medical team, play an essential role in offering compassion and empathy to patients. Despite individual differences in demographics, all patients require empathy and patience in their care. This entails attending to their needs while accommodating their differences. In this article, we highlight some patient communication improvement strategies that will help Rad Techs offer the best care possible to their patients.
Why communication is important in radiology?
One of the immediate benefits of patient communication is that it allows the patient to relax. Communication educates the patient and dispels worries or misconceptions regarding radiation or the imaging process. It also has a secondary, but equally crucial, benefit: the patient will perceive you as knowledgeable as you address their practical and personal needs. There are four types of communication abilities, all of which are intertwined: Thinking, listening, speaking, and nonverbal communication.
Good communication relaxes the patient and makes you a knowledgeable rad tech.
Listening and responding to patients
Rad techs should demonstrate a real interest in what the patient has to say, as well as professional expertise and compassion. Patients must believe that the information they provide is vital. The radiologic technologist must also show respect for the patient, be honest, and empathize (not sympathize) with the patient’s situation.
Verbal communication with patients can include spoken words, written words, voice intonation, slang, jargon, and organization of sentences. Humor is a communication tool but should be used with caution, especially in the hospital or medical environment.
Body language, touch, paralanguage, professional appearance, physical presence, eye contact, and personal cleanliness are all examples of nonverbal communication. Tone, pitch, pauses, stress, speed rate, volume accent, and the quality of the voice are all examples of paralanguage. Eye contact, facial expression, and movement of the extremities are all examples of body language. The technologist should try to convey that he or she is interested in the patient’s responses. The technologist can help ensure that questions, directions, and other information are understood by keeping eye contact. The patient should not be confused by the technologist’s expression or any bodily movements. For example, if you answer yes with a head shake or fold your arms, you’re indicating that you don’t want to help.
At all times, your appearance should be professional. Clothing should be nice and tidy for a professional image. Grooming should be emphasized in terms of physical hygiene. This involves grooming your hair and nails, preventing foul breath, and reducing body odors caused by cigarettes or strong fragrances. Because certain people may be allergic to perfumes, they should be avoided.
All types of communication abilities should be used to demonstrate the technologist’s interest in and respect for the patient.
Physical contact with patients
The rad tech should get permission before physically contacting or touching the patient. Touch for emphasis, touch for emotional support, and touch for positioning and palpation might be necessary.
Moving a bodily part into a specific posture for emphasis could be used. Patting a baby on the head could be used to provide emotional support. In imaging, positioning, and palpation touch is essential. This may entail looking for bony markers.
The rad techs will palpate the patient’s body in search of bone markers. The pads of one or two fingertips are used to locate the relevant body part during proper palpation. During palpation, the technologist should never use several fingers or the entire palm. Also, never use the tip of his or her finger to poke the patient.
Touching the patient might be necessary for emphasis, emotional support, and positioning.
Agitated patients
The rad tech must recognize that when a patient is admitted to a hospital, they are frequently nervous and fearful of losing control. Anxiety, intense emotions, and inappropriate reactions are common among patients. Patience is required while dealing with angry or irritated patients. Before resolving the practical need, the technologist should endeavor to meet the patient’s wants. “Take the heat” is the exact statement that encompasses this interaction.
Allowing an angry or unhappy patient to vent their anger or irritation uninhibitedly and early in the engagement is known as “taking the heat.” The patient may calm down enough to progress the interaction if the heat is applied quickly. Without taking responsibility or acknowledging mistakes, the technologist can apologize. “I apologize for whatever inconvenience this has caused you,” for example. “I’m sure the problem was distressing or irritating,” the technologist can say, empathizing with the patient.
When dealing with an angry or unhappy patient, however, the rad tech should remain on the side of caution and exercise self-protection by being aware of their surroundings at all times. The technologist should never look away from an aggressive patient and should keep a close eye on him or her at all times, never allowing the patient to get in the way of the exit.
Some patients are hesitant to communicate their unhappiness to the technologist directly, but they will tell others. To help identify unhappy patients, it’s critical to confirm contentment. Patients who are hesitant or noncommittal may be unsatisfied with their treatment. The technologist should question the patient more to determine the source of the hesitancy while using a quiet, soothing voice.
Patience is required while dealing with angry or irritated patients. However, the rad tech should remain on the side of caution and exercise self-protection at all times.
Patients with visual and hearing impairments
Patients with visual impairments may be blind or have optical damage. Before, during, and after the examination, give explicit step-by-step directions and use a running commentary to keep the patient informed.
Because nonverbal signs such as body language or facial expression may not be perceived, all communication with the vision impaired should be verbal. Paralanguage is vital for providing context and emotion to the patient, and a gentle touch can bring reassurance.
Loud voice should not be used to address speech and/or hearing-impaired patients. The importance of nonverbal communication, such as facial expression, cannot be overstated. It’s also crucial not to use colloquial language or presume the patient doesn’t comprehend. To explain directions, use pantomime and/or demonstrations. If sign language is not known, communication could be done in writing or by specialists using sign language.
Adequate patient communication methods should be used when dealing with patients with visual and hearing impairments to keep them informed.
Non-English-speaking patients
Touch, facial gestures, and pantomime can be helpful when dealing with non-English-speaking patients. “Yes” or “No” and “stop” are words that most patients will understand. Any attempt to communicate with patients in their language will be much appreciated. When sharing delicate or dangerous medical information, do not utilize a relative, especially a child. The majority of medical facilities include bilingual workers who can assist patients and visitors, as well as legal language interpretation services.
Touch, facial gestures, and pantomime can be helpful when dealing with non-English speaking patients, as well as legal language interpretation services.
Mentally ill patients
When working with mentally ill individuals, the rad tech must keep in mind that the severity of the mental illness will vary. Always communicate with the patient first, but verify with any caregivers about the best manner to communicate. Some patients may not be fully conscious of their actions and may require restraint from leaving the room or playing with equipment. Maintain a steady flow of speech while using a strong but soothing tone of voice. Allow autonomy whenever possible, regardless of the patient’s level of handicap. Give instructions that are clear and explicit. All conversations should be directed to the patient first, and then to the caregiver if the patient is unable to answer.
Mentally ill patients may not be fully conscious of their actions and may require restraint from leaving the room or playing with equipment. A steady flow of speech and a strong but soothing tone should be maintained while communicating with them.
Elderly patients
Mature patients are those who are 65 years of age or older. Always treat patients with respect. Do not use the terms “old” or “geriatric” to describe the patient. Avoid stereotyping the patient and treat him or her as an elderly. Avoid using language that is too simple or too infantile. Keep in mind that these patients may require extra assistance while shifting from a chair to the x-ray table or even going on the x-ray table from a standing position. Routine actions may take longer for elderly patients. The rad tech should double-check that all instructions are clear and understandable. An older person’s skin is more delicate and susceptible to stress or bruises, therefore the rad tech should avoid applying tapes or adhesives directly to the skin.
To avoid an uncomfortable study, utilize an X-ray table pad to support and cushion the back, heels, and head during imaging. Warm blankets X-ray can help minimize shivering caused by the cold and show empathy. While reclining supine for examinations such as the Upper Gastrointestinal study, the patient may have difficulties in drinking the soluble contrast material. Due to a loss of sphincter control, a patient receiving a barium enema may have difficulties holding the barium. During extensive X-ray examinations, the technologist may need to offer a bedpan and a urinal because the patients may be unable to contain pee for long periods.
Elderly patients might need extra assistance. The rad tech must make sure all instructions are clear, and use available tools to avoid uncomfortable studies as much as possible.
Pediatric patients
Remember that the key to pediatric imaging is to recognize that while the imaging is similar, the approach will be different.
Children are not little adults. When working with children, the rad tech will occasionally need to employ immobilization devices and should be familiar with how to use them. However, depending on the child’s age and/or stage of development, the rad tech should realize that each child will require a unique approach and patient communication. Most significantly, when working with minors, technologists should be aware of the requirement for radiation protection.
The level of comprehension or cooperation of a pediatric patient is determined by the child’s age. However, because children do not develop at the same rate, there is no clear-cut age grouping. In addition, when a youngster is sick or is subjected to unpleasant testing in unfamiliar surroundings, he or she may regress emotionally.
When working with pediatric patients, all technologists should keep a few things in mind. It’s great if the room is ready before you bring the child in. To ensure a successful examination, the youngster may require the assistance of a parent or guardian. If a parent is permitted to enter the room, he or she will require a clearly defined position. In other circumstances, having the parent present in the room may be harmful. The rad tech must decide whether the parent is assisting or hindering the imaging process.
Patient communication is crucial, and it should take place at the child’s level. To entice the child’s assistance, the technologist should make introductions and provide recommendations. If at all feasible, enlist the child’s assistance, and most dialogues will serve as a pleasant diversion. Answer questions as honestly as possible, and only provide genuine appreciation when it is due. Reassuring the child by allowing them a comfort item to hold while in the room can aid with unruly behavior. Handing out rewards after sessions is another way to get the child to behave during the session.
Pediatric care in medical imaging requires a special approach. Each age group should be handled accordingly to ensure the child’s cooperation. Toys, comfort items, and bribery, in addition to the proper patient communication offered by the rad tech, can be game changers.
Adolescent patients
Patients in this category frequently require particular precautions when changing clothes during examinations to maintain modesty and avoid embarrassment. Every effort should be taken to protect the privacy of the adolescent. To reduce tensions during operations, it is generally beneficial to focus the talk on acquaintances of the same sex. When they are nervous, some become chatty, while others remain silent. Each adolescent must be assessed individually. They are notorious for their emotional ups and downs. They may be rude to the point of becoming insolent, or they may revert to juvenile behavior. Again, the technologist will have to adjust his or her approach based on their demands or attitude.
Teenagers may be concerned about the consequences of radiation on their sexuality or childbearing. Be a technologist who is well-informed. Only then will you be able to provide your patient with accurate and up-to-date information? Pregnancy may be a problem in this age group. “Are you sexually active?” and other delicate queries like “Are you pregnant?” should be asked away from the parent to elicit an honest answer. Don’t assume that your patient, despite being a teenager, has no say in their care. Some older teenagers are emancipated minors who have moved away from home and are financially self-sufficient, are married or unmarried, or are responsible for a child. Many people may be in charge of their health care. Teenagers of any age should be allowed to participate in treatment decisions. Tell them what you’re doing and why you’re doing it. In some states, a minor can consent to some radiological tests in specific cases.
When dealing with adolescents, every effort should be taken to protect their privacy. Notorious for their emotional ups and downs, the rad tech’s approach should be adjusted based on their demands or attitudes. Teenagers of any age should be allowed to participate in treatment decisions.
Patients you regularly encounter at your workplace can be of different ages, cultural backgrounds, and education levels. Each of them is an individual with unique needs, demands, and expectations. However, what is common between all of them is their need for empathy and compassion. That said, remember to always be kind; kindness is key to successful interactions with patients. Different demographics have different needs, and meeting those patients’ comfort levels can go far in the success of the imaging session and their satisfaction with their healthcare.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this website is intended to provide useful information to radiologic technologists. This information should not replace information provided by state, federal, or professional regulatory and authoritative bodies in the radiological technology industry. While Medical Professionals strives to always provide up-to-date and accurate information, laws, regulations, statutes, rules, and requirements may vary from one state to another and may change. Use of this information is entirely voluntary, and users should always refer to official regulatory bodies before acting on information. Users assume the entire risk as to the results of using the information provided, and in no event shall Medical Professionals be held liable for any direct, consequential, incidental or indirect damages suffered in the course of using the information provided. Medical Professionals hereby disclaims any responsibility for the consequences of any action(s) taken by any user as a result of using the information provided. Users hereby agree not to take action against, or seek to hold, or hold liable, Medical Professionals for the user’s use of the information provided.