Healthcare provider and patient perspectives on diagnostic imaging investigations

Background: Much has been written about the patient-centred approach in doctor–patient
consultations. Little is known about interactions and communication processes regarding healthcare
providers’ and patients’ perspectives on expectations and experiences of diagnostic imaging
investigations within the medical encounter. Patients journey through the health system from the
point of referral to the imaging investigation itself and then to the post-imaging consultation.
Aim and setting: To explore healthcare provider and patient perspectives on interaction and
communication processes during diagnostic imaging investigations as part of their clinical journey
through a healthcare complex.
Methods: A qualitative study was conducted, with two phases of data collection. Twenty-four
patients were conveniently selected at a public district hospital complex and were followed
throughout their journey in the hospital system, from admission to discharge. The second phase
entailed focus group interviews conducted with providers in the district hospital and adjacent
academic hospital (medical officers and family physicians, nurses, radiographers, radiology
consultants and registrars).
Results: Two main themes guided our analysis: (1) provider perspectives; and (2) patient dispositions
and reactions. Golden threads that cut across these themes are interactions and communication
processes in the context of expectations, experiences of the imaging investigations and the outcomes
thereof.
Conclusion: Insights from this study provide a better understanding of the complexity of the
processes and interactions between providers and patients during the imaging investigations
conducted as part of their clinical pathway. The interactions and communication processes are
provider–patient centred when a referral for a diagnostic imaging investigation is included.