Addressing the patient experience in an MRI department : final results from an action research study

Murphy, FJ; Munn, Z; Pearson, A; Jordan, Z; Pilkington, D; Anderson, A

Abstract

Introduction: Patients undergoing MRI can experience anxiety and claustrophobia. A multi-method action research study was conducted to determine how patient care was currently being delivered in an MRI department and to determine whether this could be improved.
Methods: This action research study employed both quantitative and qualitative methods. Changes were introduced into the department after baseline data collection to address areas for improvement. A survey was conducted of patients to establish their level of satisfaction/anxiety and to determine whether this improved during the course of the project. Staff practice was qualitatively observed over the course of the project and observations recorded in a field diary. Finally, focus groups were held with staff.
Results: For patients, the project resulted in improved satisfaction, lower anxiety and increased the amount of patients receiving information compared to the results of a baseline survey. However, these findings were not statistically significant. Amongst staff, qualitative observations portrayed a renewed focus on the patient in MRI including changes in their actions such as increased use of touch, improved communication and focused efforts to maintain privacy.
Conclusions: This study was able to achieve a change in practice through an action research cycle in a magnetic resonance imaging department. Over the course of the project, improvements were made to the department, and radiographers changed the way they acted and interacted with patients.

Citation

Murphy, F., Munn, Z., Pearson, A., Jordan, Z., Pilkington, D., & Anderson, A. (2016). Addressing the patient experience in an MRI department : final results from an action research study. Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences, 47(4), 329-336. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmir.2016.04.007

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Nov 8, 2016
• Online Publication Date: Jun 27, 2016
• Publication Date: Dec 1, 2016
• Deposit Date: Jan 16, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 29, 2017
• Journal: Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences
• Print ISSN: 1939-8654
• Electronic ISSN: 1876-7982
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Volume: 47
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 329-336
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmir.2016.04.007
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jmir.2016.04.007
• Related Public URLs: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/journal-of-medical-imaging-and-radiation-sciences/