Abstract
Radiographers form part of the healthcare team and are integral in the diagnosis and treatment of trauma patients. Additionally, they are required to provide their services to multiple departments within the hospital; therefore exposure to trauma forms part of a radiographer’s work routine. They are expected to be empathetic, caring and supportive and have a pleasing attitude, while remaining calm when working under pressure, especially in emergency situations. People who work with trauma have been found to have experienced changes in their own psychological functioning. While there are studies exploring the experiences of other healthcare workers and emergency service personnel, limited studies were found on radiographers’ experience imaging trauma patients. This qualitative, explorative and descriptive phenomenological study explored and described radiographers’ experience imaging trauma patients in Gauteng. The population included all radiographers in Gauteng private and public trauma hospitals, over the age of 18 years, registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa. Radiographers were purposefully sampled and data saturation was reached after 20 one-on-one Zoom/WhatsApp video calls or telephone interviews. During the interviews, a central question was posed: “How has your experience been X-raying trauma patients?” Interviews were audio recorded with detailed notes taken during the interviews. The data was transcribed and the transcribed data underwent thematic analysis. Trustworthiness and ethical principles were adhered to throughout the study. Four themes emerged, namely experiences of radiographers when imaging trauma patients, positive impact on radiographers when imaging trauma patients, negative impact on radiographers when imaging trauma patients and coping with the impact of trauma. Traumatic experiences varied, with radiographers displaying both positive and negative emotions after trauma exposure. While some of the participants experienced distress, desensitisation and anxiety, post-traumatic growth and a greater appreciation for life were noted in others. Currently there are no interventions in place to assist radiographers in coping with the impact of trauma exposure. Guidelines and recommendations have thus been developed to address each theme identified to support radiographers imaging trauma patients.
M.Tech. (Radiography)