Question

Imaging Scenario

A patient who has a family history of breast cancer and has found a lump in her breast arrives at a mammography imaging center. She is frightened and emotional. She has read a great deal of literature about breast cancer and know it is one of the leading cause of death in women. Her mother and sister died painful deaths at early ages, and she is frantic to learn her diagnosis. The breast imaging center has been informed that it needs to complete procedures more rapidly to allow a greater number of mammograms to be performed per day. This pressure for speed has elevated the stress of all mammographers. Moreover, unexpected emergencies and procedures that call for additional views have been causing backups in the waiting room, increasing the anxiety of patients anticipating their examinations. Such a backup occurs on the day the patient arrives, and by the time her procedure begins, she is almost hysterical and has difficulty following the mammographer's directions. Her inability to hold still and endure the compression necessitates retakes of the films. By the time the woman is finished with the examination, she is angry and vows never to return to the breast imaging center. Her anger may even prevent her from following through with future mammograms.

1. This imaging scenario presents many different "problems" that may contribute to a negative patient care experience and outcome. List the problems that have occurred in this scenario, from 3 different perspectives. List at least three, for each perspective.

Patient problems:

Imaging Center problems:

Technologist problems:

2. The patients physical/neurological/emotional status and the imaging technologists ability to manage those before and during the scan time, are major factors in being able to create diagnostic-quality images. MRI technologists must also take into consideration the effects of claustrophobia. Caring and communication are two of the most powerful tools quality MRI technologists possess. When facing medical imaging ethical dilemmas and thinking about solutions, it is important to remember that a "one size fits all" approach does not work. Different problems require different solutions. For this scenario, what are some possible solutions?

Patient solutions:

Facility solutions:

•   

Technologist solutions:

•   

3. What impact has caring and communication or the lack of either had on the ethical dilemma facing the mammographer in this scenario?

Please help me answer these questions. Would like to double check my work.

Answer 1

1 ) Answers:

Patient problems:

• Actual problem is lump in breast.
• Family history of breast cancer-fear of death,
• Anxiety,increased emotions and stress.

Imaging Center problems :

• Poor scheduling techniques of procedure.
• lack of appointments and time management issues.

Technologist problems :

• Lack of communication,
• Detailed explanation regarding procedure and outcomes,
• Lack of getting written consent for procedure and
• Patient co-operation, fails to provide basic counselling to gain the comfort of patient.

2 ) Answers:

Patient solutions:

• Providing detailed explanation regarding procedure,time duration,outline procedure,possible results in advance,providing comfortable environment and space to express her emotions.

Facility solutions:

• Scheduling appointments for patient as per priority needs,communicate the time and date through phone calls and reminder messages,facility should provide pleasant and safe environment.

Technologist solutions:

• Collect detail history and consent from the patient,maintaining good communication and good rapport,pleasant approach to patient with kind,calm and respective.

3 ) Answers:

• Effective, concise and accurate communication (and education) to the patient can significantly lessen her anxiety and improve her experience.