Radiography-An etymological and semantic concept analysis from the perspective of radiographic science.

INTRODUCTION: Concepts are cornerstones in science, and their determination is a prerequisite for understanding their substance and meaning. Radiography as a concept is not straightforward nor simple to understand, and there are different interpretations depending on the scientific perspective. To develop truthful knowledge of radiography from the perspective of the discipline, a determination of the subject and substance of radiography is required and thereby is a precursor for theory development. The aim of this study was to investigate the etymological and semantic meaning of radiography from the radiography science perspective. METHODS: An etymological and semantic analysis has been applied according to Koort and Eriksson's theoretical model. Dictionaries published between 2004 and 2021 were used. RESULTS: The findings show that etymologically, radiography is formed by compounding the words 'radio' and 'graphy', originating historically from Latin and Greek. The semantic analysis revealed that the substance of radiography consisted of four characteristics that are the basic substance of radiography. The characteristics were X-ray and radiation, human beings-opaque objects, process including an act and art and images. CONCLUSION: This study clarifies the substance and meaning of radiography as a subject from the perspective of radiography science. The subject and substance consisted of the four basic characteristics that all are vital and required to understand the concept of radiography. The characteristics revealed that radiography science is based on scientific knowledge and carrier of properties of meaning that provide a fundamental understanding of radiography science. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Investigating the subject, substance and meaning of radiography as a concept can become the base for further theoretical, contextual and practical understanding and support in the development of theory in radiography science.

Radiographers' experience of preventing patient safety incidents in the context of radiological examinations.

AIM: To describe factors that prevent patient safety incidents in connection with the radiological examination from the radiographer's perspective. BACKGROUND: Radiology plays an important role in the care chain and involves diagnostic examinations and treatments using various radiation sources and different techniques. Risks for patient safety incidents exist in every phase of a radiological examination. Appropriate use of medical imaging requires a multidisciplinary approach involving staff of different categories to meet the medical objectives and the patient's care needs. In accordance with a Safety-II approach, it is therefore important to understand why things go right and ensure that they do by supporting the conditions for right things to happen. DESIGN: A qualitative study with a descriptive design. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 17 radiographers. The data were analysed using theoretical thematic analysis based on the Systems Engineering Initiative for Patient Safety model. RESULTS: The analysis yielded 20 sub-themes, which describe different success factors contributing to patient safety. CONCLUSION: Proactive work should focus on collaboration and sharing the necessary knowledge, internally and externally, for care in connection with the radiological examination. The radiological and peri-radiographic knowledge should include monitoring the patient's safety needs before, during and after the radiological examination. The referring clinician has a central role in writing relevant referrals and the radiographer's competence is crucial in monitoring the patient's safety needs. A good patient safety culture is required and working with standards is important.

Patients' lived experiences of waiting for and undergoing endovascular aortic repair in a hybrid operating room: A qualitative study.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The overall aim of the study was to illuminate the patients' lived experiences of waiting for and undergoing an endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) in a hybrid operating room (OR). BACKGROUND: The hybrid OR is an example of the technological advancements within hospitals. The environmental impact on humans is well recognised but is rarely taken into account when hospitals are designed or rebuilt. The patient's experience of a hybrid OR is not earlier described. DESIGN: A qualitative design based on hermeneutic phenomenology was implemented. METHODS: Interviews were conducted with 18 patients. A thematic interpretation based on van Manen's approach was then used to analyse the findings. The consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative studies (COREQ) were used (Data S1). RESULTS: The following three themes emerged from the interviews: (a) being scheduled for surgery induced both anxiety and hopefulness; (b) feeling watched over and surrendering to others in the technology intense environment and (c) feeling relief but unexpected exhaustion after surgery. In the discussion, the results were additionally reflected upon out from the four lifeworld existentials: lived body, lived space, lived time and lived others. CONCLUSIONS: The hybrid OR technology did not frighten the patients, but it was also not an environment that promoted or was conductive to having a dialogue with the staff. The disease and surgery brought feelings of anxiety, which was largely associated with the uncertainty of the situation. We suggest that continuity in contact with staff and patient-centred information could be solutions to further calm the patients. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The hybrid OR environment itself did not seem to frighten the patient, but the way the high-tech environment increased the distance between the patient and the multiple staff members needs further investigation.

Radiographers' experience of risks for patient safety incidents in the radiology department.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To describe potential risks for patient safety incidents in the radiology department from a radiographer's perspective. BACKGROUND: A radiology department is a high-tech environment with high communication activity between different healthcare systems in combination with a large patient flow. Risks for patient safety incidents exist in every phase of a radiological examination. Due to the nature of the activity, a radiology department needs to have its own range of measures to prevent risks linked to radiology. DESIGN: A qualitative descriptive design. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were carried out with 17 radiographers during the period September 2015 to February 2016. The data were analysed using conventional content analysis. This study followed the COREQ checklist criteria for the reporting of qualitative research. RESULTS: The analysis yielded 20 different patient safety incidents that could result in the following six types of healthcare-associated harm: Patients could be exposed to unnecessary radiation; patients could receive an inaccurate diagnosis; patients could incur drug-induced damage; patients could suffer direct physical injury; or, their examination and treatment could be delayed or not carried out; or, their general health condition could deteriorate. CONCLUSION: Lack of communication and knowledge, both internally and externally, can increase risks for patient safety incidents. The study describes a complex chain of activities that represent risks in the radiology department. It needs to be pointed out that it is not always the activities in the radiology department that cause the harm. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: To carry out preventive patient safety work, a comprehensive analysis of the entire care chain is required. Patient safety work should also focus on improvement in communication both internally, within the radiology department, and externally. Standardised methodological guidelines, consistent prescriptions of method from the radiologist and a good working environment are internal success factors for patient safety at the radiology department.

Patients' experiences and feelings before undergoing peripheral percutaneous transluminal angioplasty.

The use of interventional radiology as treatment has increased dramatically and peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is now a common indication for vascular interventions such as percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA).(1) PAD seriously impairs quality of life, and patients experience a lack of control over the disease. The aim of this study was to identify patients who are predominantly anxious or calm before PTA treatment and to explore reasons for these feelings. The study includes both individual interviews, a shortened version of a Swedish Mood Adjective Check List (MACL), and an overall assessment of the perceived degree of calmness-anxiety. Forty-two patients were included in the study. The 'anxious' group showed a significantly lower mood in all scales of the MACL compared with the 'calm' group. Reasons for feeling calm were a sense of being safe and high expectations. Reasons for feeling anxious were represented by a sense of despair and apprehension about the PTA. The main reason for feeling calm was related to trust in their caregivers and an ability to foresee upcoming events. The main reason for feeling anxious before the PTA was fear of a negative outcome and being unsure of treatment options. Greater knowledge and a better understanding of their disease and treatment options would support patients' ability to accept reasons for waiting before using invasive treatment. Moreover, this could decrease their anxiety and increase their feeling of being in control of their situation.

Hours during and after coronary intervention and angiography.

The purpose of this study was to describe patients' experience during and after coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention. Data were collected by interviews with 14 patients. A qualitative content analysis approach was used. Four main categories were identified that describe patients' experience of the hours during and following intervention: emotional thoughts, bodily sensations, nursing intervention of importance, and personal strategies. All patients made a comment on staff conduct and pointed out that even minor nursing actions may be of great importance. Patients were most positive toward the transradial approach. Even though the approach via arteria radialis will increase, many patients will still have their procedure done via arteria femoralis. In spite of all research and technical developments, the patients' experience from intervention via arteria femoralis is pretty much the same as it was 1997.