Radiographer Confident Level in Handling Mammography Procedures: A Study at Hospitals in Ipoh

Abstract

Mammography is an examination of breast using special x-ray machine for early detection of cancer and other breast disease. During the examination, breast is placed on flat support plate and compressed with parallel plate called a paddle. The positioning of patient during the examination will give uncomfortability and affect image quality produced. Thus, an effective communication of radiographer is important in handling mammogram procedure. The lack of research addressing radiographers’ confidence in communicating with patients during mammography examination creates a gap in understanding the factors that may affect effective radiographer-patient interaction. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the level of confidence of radiographers when communicating with patients and recognize the relationship based on sociodemographic factors and radiographers’ communication skills during the examination. Thus, study is performed through an online survey that involve participation from 29 radiographers from hospitals at Ipoh. The questionnaires consist of 2 parts that is sociodemographic factors and radiographers’ confidence level questions.  Likert Scale is used to evaluate the questionnaire. The results show that most radiographers have high level of confidence in communicating with patient during the examination. There is significance difference between age and work experience with communication aspects. Meanwhile there is no relationship between educational level with communication aspects. As a conclusion, radiographer in mammography show high level of confidence in communication with patient during mammography examination. Age and work experience are the main factors affecting the confidence level of radiographer in handling mammogram procedure.