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JRCERT Update
The type of information they provide includes : communication skills. Role-playing allows the focus
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aftercare to be on the learner; although this focus might cause
compliance anxiety for some students, it is a good method to assess
how to obtain results interpersonal skills. In role-reversal, the student acts
reassurance as the patient, which helps teach empathy toward the
self-introduction patient. For example, a role-playing scenario might
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type of examination include a 75-year-old patient who has an order for an
what to expect during the examination upper gastrointestinal examination. The patient is
Most of the complaints from patients in radiology are weak, hard of hearing, and has intermittent bouts of
related to the lack of patient-centered care and poor emesis. One student would role-play as the patient and
interpersonal skills of radiology staff members. 15,16 another as the technologist while simulating the exami-
Radiology patients consider wait times as part of nation. The instructor would monitor the effectiveness
their experience. The longer patients must wait for of the student’s communication to include empathetic
their examination, the higher their anxiety, frustration, phrasing and geriatric considerations.
and dissatisfaction. 15,17 Wait times can increase as the Another important communication skill is interpro-
volume of imaging examinations performed in a center fessional communication. The radiologic technologist
or hospital increases. The pressures associated with the speaks with many other health care professionals
radiographer’s job to decrease wait times by maximizing (eg, radiologists, nurses, surgeons, physicians). The
efficiency, might foster an attitude to rush patients out communication tool SBAR (Situation, Background,
the door. The emphasis on the speed of the exami- Assessment, and Recommendation) has been shown
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nation is associated with prioritizing wait times over to improve health care communication by providing
patient-centered care, with maximum efficiency as concise information. Use of SBAR during role-playing
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the primary focus. 19 scenarios has shown to be effective. Although there
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The balance between producing a quality image is little research related to using SBAR in radiology,
promptly while still providing an excellent patient incorporating it into scenarios can be beneficial in
experience is unique to radiology. Success is predicated developing interprofessional communication. The
on the radiologic technologist’s actions. If a radiologic components of SBAR are:
technologist can effectively communicate, the patient situation – What is going on with the patient?
will have confidence in the technologist and in the background – What are the clinical facts?
accuracy of the imaging results. 20 assessment – What is the assessment of the situation?
recommendation – How should the situation
Teaching Communication be handled?
Transferring the didactic theory learned in the During the scenario, once the examination is complete,
classroom to clinics is a crucial step in the development the student portraying the technologist should use
of health care students. Communication theory for SBAR to provide instructions to the patient’s nurse
most health care programs is taught in the preclinical after the examination, for example:
years. However, lectures and reading are passive forms situation – The patient is being returned after an
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of learning that require the student to absorb information. upper gastrointestinal fluoroscopy examination
Learning by doing is a more productive method. The that involved drinking barium.
challenge for health care educators is to allow students background – While in radiology, the patient
to practice without placing a patient’s care in jeopardy. vomited during and after the examination.
assessment – The patient is having abdominal
Role-Play pain and continues to feel nauseous.
Role-playing commonly is used in health care recommendation – Monitor the patient for con-
programs and is an effective method for learning tinued bouts of emesis.
578 asrt.org/publications
Reprinted with permission from the American Society of Radiologic Technologists for educational purposes. ©2022. All rights reserved.