Department of Optometry, Radiography and Lighting Design, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, University of South-Eastern Norway (USN), Pb 235, 3603, Kongsberg, Norway.
Eur Radiol. 2022 Jun;32(6):4210-4217. doi: 10.1007/s00330-021-08470-z. Epub 2022 Jan 6.
To explore radiographers' actions toward inappropriate referrals and hindrances to assessing referrals.
An online survey was distributed to radiographers via the International Society of Radiographers and Radiological Technologists (ISRRT) networks. The questionnaire consisted of 5-point Likert scale questions on radiographers' actions to supplement referral information, actions for unjustified referrals and hindrances to referral assessment. The questionnaire was validated using a test-retest reliability analysis. Kappa values ≥ 0.6 were accepted. SPSS software was used for data analysis and chi-square tests to compare subgroups.
Total responses received were 279. The most reported actions to supplement missing referral information were to ask the patient or relative, examine the body region of concern and check medical records (73%, 70%, 67%, responded often/always, respectively). The actions when confronted with unjustified referrals were reported equally to consult the radiologist, referring clinician and radiographer (69-68% often/always responses). The hindering factors ranked high (agreed/strongly agreed responses) pertained to inadequate information in referral forms (83%), ineffective communication among healthcare professionals (79%), lack of training (70%) and allocated time (61%). Statistically significant associations were observed for a few actions and hindrances with education level, modality of practice and responsibility to screen imaging referrals.
Radiographers consult colleagues about suspected unjustified referrals. Effective communication pathways, training and time allocation to improve radiographers' skills to assess referrals may enhance appropriate imaging and delivery of quality patient care.
• Radiographers' actions of supplementing missing information in radiology referrals facilitate provision of high-quality health services. • Radiographers' strategy when confronted with inappropriate referrals is to consult radiologists and referring clinicians. • Better inter-professional communication and organisation of tasks can facilitate radiographers' participation in referral assessment to ensure appropriate imaging.
探讨放射技师对不适当转诊的行为以及转诊评估的障碍。
通过国际放射技师和放射技术员协会（ISRRT）网络向放射技师在线分发问卷。问卷由放射技师补充转诊信息、不合理转诊行为以及转诊评估障碍的 5 点 Likert 量表问题组成。使用测试 - 重测信度分析对问卷进行验证。接受κ值≥0.6。使用 SPSS 软件进行数据分析和卡方检验比较亚组。
共收到 279 份回复。报告最多的补充缺失转诊信息的行为是询问患者或家属、检查关注的身体部位和检查病历（分别为 73%、70%、67%，经常/总是回答）。面对不合理转诊时，报告的行为同样是咨询放射科医生、转诊临床医生和放射技师（69-68%经常/总是回答）。阻碍因素的排名较高（同意/强烈同意的回答）与转诊表中信息不足（83%）、医疗保健专业人员之间的沟通不畅（79%）、缺乏培训（70%）和分配的时间（61%）有关。在教育程度、实践模式和筛选影像转诊的责任方面，一些行为和障碍与统计学上显著相关。
放射技师会就疑似不适当的转诊咨询同事。改善放射技师评估转诊能力的有效沟通途径、培训和时间分配，可以促进适当的影像学检查并提供高质量的患者护理。
放射技师补充放射学转诊中缺失信息的行为有助于提供高质量的医疗服务。
放射技师面对不适当转诊时的策略是咨询放射科医生和转诊临床医生。
更好的专业间沟通和任务组织可以促进放射技师参与转诊评估，以确保进行适当的影像学检查。
