Radiographers’ opinion on patients’ rights to informed consent: results of an online survey

Authors

  • Leonie Munro Retired
  • Hesta Friedrich-Nel Department of Clinical Sciences Central University of Technology Free State (CUT) Private Bag X20539 Bloemfontein 9300 South Africa

Keywords:

radiation risks, patient records, permission

Abstract

Purpose: The Bonn Call for Action(action 9) states the need for an improved ‘radiation benefit-risk-dialogue’. As such, the action emphasises that healthcare workers ‘need to work towards an active informed decision making process for patients’. Based on this statement as well as the opinions of radiographers on informed patient consent collected at a previous local congress, it was deemed necessary to determine whether radiographers are of the opinion that they are responsible to take informed consent for imaging and treatment procedures, and whether there is a need for a short course and a good practice guide on informed consent for all radiographic categories.

Objectives: Seven broad objectives underpinned the overarching purpose and aims of the study.

Methodology: A questionnaire was sent to 918 members of the Society of Radiographers of South Africa (SORSA) using an online survey programme (SurveyMonkey). Invitations to participate in the survey were also placed on SORSA’s Facebook and websites. The questions related to biographical information; knowledge of informed consent and related aspects thereof.

Results: The response rate was 37% (n=336). Radiographic category of the respondents was as follows: diagnostic (62%) radiotherapy (13%), ultrasound (9%), and nuclear medicine (2%). Radiographers in education comprised 8% of the total respondents. There was almost equal public and private sector representation, namely 41% and 42% respectively. Tertiary institutions were represented by 11% of the respondents. Sixty-seven percent (67%) of respondents were of the opinion that the medical practitioner who requests the examination should be responsible for obtaining informed consent from patients undergoing examinations in diagnostic and ultrasound imaging, radiotherapy treatments, and nuclear medicine examinations. Eighty-two percent (82%) of the respondents indicated they would benefit from short courses on informed consent. Ninety-eight percent (98%) agreed that there is a need for a good practice guide for consent for imaging and treatment of patients for use by all categories of radiographers in South Africa. Fifty-seven percent (57%) stated they do not know the underlying principles of the Image Gently and Image Wisely campaigns.

Conclusion: There is a need for a short course on informed consent as well as a good practice guide for consent for imaging and treatment of patients for use by all categories of radiographers in South Africa.

Author Biography

Hesta Friedrich-Nel, Department of Clinical Sciences Central University of Technology Free State (CUT) Private Bag X20539 Bloemfontein 9300 South Africa

Professor  of  Radiography

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Published

2015-05-27

Issue

Vol. 53 No. 1 (2015)

Section

Original Articles

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