J L Portelli1, J P McNulty2, P Bezzina3, L Rainford4. 1. Department of Radiography, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Malta, Msida, Malta; Radiography and Diagnostic Imaging, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland. Electronic address: jonathan.portelli@um.edu.mt. 2. Radiography and Diagnostic Imaging, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland. Electronic address: jonathan.mcnulty@ucd.ie. 3. Department of Radiography, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Malta, Msida, Malta. Electronic address: paul.bezzina@um.edu.mt. 4. Radiography and Diagnostic Imaging, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland. Electronic address: louise.rainford@ucd.ie.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: To assess how referrers and practitioners disclose benefit-risk information about medical imaging examinations to paediatric patients and their parents/guardians; to gauge their confidence in doing so; and to seek their opinion about who is responsible for disclosing such information. METHODS: This study followed on from a previously published study, with a questionnaire distributed in staggered phases to 146 radiographers, 22 radiology practitioners, 55 emergency physicians and 43 paediatricians at a primary paediatric referral centre in Malta. The questionnaire sought details about referrers' and practitioners' practice of disclosing benefit-risk information, as well as their opinion about their confidence and responsibility to do so. RESULTS: An overall response rate of 63.2% (168/266) was achieved. Most referrers and practitioners would generally explain the purpose of the imaging examination, with fewer providing benefit-risk information. The content and the approach adopted to communicate benefit-risk information varied, at times considerably. While 75% (123/164) felt that the responsibility to provide benefit-risk information was a shared one between referrers and practitioners, only 32.1% (53/165) reported a high level of confidence in their own ability to do so. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings highlight potential knowledge and skills gaps amongst local referrers and practitioners. This needs addressing so as to ensure that paediatric patients and their parents/guardians are provided with adequate, reassuring and consistent information. Additionally, we recommend that local referrers and practitioners come together and develop a consensus document that can offer guidance on how to go about discussing the benefits and risks of paediatric imaging examinations.
INTRODUCTION: To assess how referrers and practitioners disclose benefit-risk information about medical imaging examinations to paediatric patients and their parents/guardians; to gauge their confidence in doing so; and to seek their opinion about who is responsible for disclosing such information. METHODS: This study followed on from a previously published study, with a questionnaire distributed in staggered phases to 146 radiographers, 22 radiology practitioners, 55 emergency physicians and 43 paediatricians at a primary paediatric referral centre in Malta. The questionnaire sought details about referrers' and practitioners' practice of disclosing benefit-risk information, as well as their opinion about their confidence and responsibility to do so. RESULTS: An overall response rate of 63.2% (168/266) was achieved. Most referrers and practitioners would generally explain the purpose of the imaging examination, with fewer providing benefit-risk information. The content and the approach adopted to communicate benefit-risk information varied, at times considerably. While 75% (123/164) felt that the responsibility to provide benefit-risk information was a shared one between referrers and practitioners, only 32.1% (53/165) reported a high level of confidence in their own ability to do so. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings highlight potential knowledge and skills gaps amongst local referrers and practitioners. This needs addressing so as to ensure that paediatric patients and their parents/guardians are provided with adequate, reassuring and consistent information. Additionally, we recommend that local referrers and practitioners come together and develop a consensus document that can offer guidance on how to go about discussing the benefits and risks of paediatric imaging examinations.
Authors: Heljä T Oikarinen; Anne M Perttu; Helena M Mahajan; Leila H Ukkola; Osmo A Tervonen; Aino-Liisa I Jussila; Anja O Henner Journal: Pediatr Radiol Date: 2018-11-13