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.

• 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
• 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/