Abstract
According to literature, radiographic examinations of paediatric patients are challenging and require diagnostic radiographers to have special expertise. In radiography, it is important for the patient to remain still to acquire a diagnostic image. However, this can be challenging for paediatric patients due to their anxiety and uneasiness with their surroundings. In Malawi, diagnostic radiographers continue to experience challenges when imaging paediatric patients. The most challenging part is to gain paediatric patients’ cooperation for better radiographic positioning. Currently, there are no studies conducted in Malawi on paediatric radiographic examinations.
This qualitative exploratory and descriptive study aimed to explore and describe diagnostic radiographers’ experiences with paediatric patients during radiographic examinations in Malawi.
The study population involved diagnostic radiographers working in five selected health facilities registered with the Medical Council of Malawi (MCM). Purposive sampling was employed to select diagnostic radiographers with experience working with paediatric patients to participate in the study. Data was collected using face-to-face semi-structured interviews and field notes. Qualitative thematic analysis was used to analyse the transcribed data.
Findings from this study show that diagnostic radiographers experience many challenges with paediatric patients during radiographic examinations. Three themes were developed which included: 1) challenges encountered during paediatric radiography examinations; 2) diagnostic radiographers' opinions about paediatric radiography; and 3) facilitating paediatric radiography examinations. Participants cited getting the paediatric patient to cooperate for an examination as the most important aspect of the radiography process. However, it comes with distinct challenges due to the inability of the paediatric patients to cooperate.
Recommendations were formulated to facilitate effective and less challenging paediatric diagnostic radiography practices, which included the creation of a conducive paediatric imaging environment, encouraging paediatric radiography research, and facilitating paediatric radiography education.