Elements of person-centred diagnostic imaging care in low-and middle-income countries: A systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: Diagnostic imaging professionals are trained to deliver safe and high-quality person-centred radiographic diagnostic imaging care. The term person-centred care has been described as a confused concept without a unified definition. This systematic review identified the elements that have been used to measure person-centred care in diagnostic imaging in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). METHODS: A systematic review was conducted and reported in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis statement. Embase, MEDLINE and Cochrane library were searched. Bias was assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skill Programme and Mixed Method Appraisal Tool. A narrative synthesis guided by the Picker Principles of person-centred care was undertaken. RESULTS: Of the 4482 articles identified, 26 articles were included. The studies were from 12 LMICs. Synthesis of the literature generated six themes, namely access to high quality and safe diagnostic imaging care, effective communication and shared diagnostic imaging decision making, suitable diagnostic imaging environment for physical comfort, respectful and compassionate diagnostic radiographers, effective coordination of diagnostic imaging care process, and family and friends' involvement in diagnostic imaging care. CONCLUSION: Medical imaging facilities in most LMICs continue to struggle with issues of access, safety, quality, and responsiveness to the needs of patients. The need for innovative person-centred diagnostic imaging care interventions in LMICs has become urgent. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: If diagnostic imaging services in LMICs are to move beyond the current models of limited person-centred access to care, a greater focus on systems thinking is required. It is imperative to involve all stakeholders, not only patients and radiographers, but also policymakers whose works impact on equitable access to diagnostic imaging services.

Work-related back pain among diagnostic radiographers in Ghana: A qualitative study.

INTRODUCTION: Work-related back pain has a major impact on diagnostic radiographers' clinical task performance in terms of sickness absenteeism, disability and loss of productivity due to presenteeism. However, there is limited information about the burden of work-related back pain among diagnostic radiographers in Ghana. The aim was to explore diagnostic radiographers' experiences of work-related back pain in Ghana. METHODS: An exploratory-descriptive qualitative study using semi-structured telephone interviews was conducted. Purposive and snowball sampling techniques were used to recruit participants. The interviews were facilitated by an interview guide. Thematic network approach was used to analyse the data. RESULTS: Eighteen participants, with 14 males and 4 females were interviewed. The mean age of the participants was 31.7 ± 7.3 years. Three themes were developed: increasing burden of work-related back pain; making sense of the multifaceted risk factors for work-related back pain; and preventing work-related back pain. Low back pain was the most common, followed by neck pain with thoracic pain as the least common reported work-related back pain by participants. Identified risk factors included: physical factors; environmental ergonomic factors; and psychosocial factors. Prevention strategies identified were categorised into: health and safety training; creating lifting team; leadership support from diagnostic imaging managers; participatory ergonomics; workforce planning and scheduling; mindfulness exercises; and physical rehabilitation. CONCLUSION: Assessing the level of ergonomic risks is critical to identifying, analysing and controlling workplace risk factors that can lead to work-related back pain among diagnostic radiographers. Future research is recommended to design and evaluate a multicomponent ergonomic intervention for the prevention of work-related back pain among diagnostic radiographers to enable them deliver care safely and healthily. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Understanding diagnostic radiographers experiences of work-related back pain can help develop effective strategies to reduce the growing burden of pain back.