Exploring the role of communication between mammographers and patients during imaging in selected hospitals in Limpopo province

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: Breast cancer is listed among the diseases that affect women around the world and have the potential to impact the quality of life. Communication is essential in management and treatment of breast cancer in the breast imaging department. Through effective communication, mammographers can help alleviate the fear and burden that breast cancer brings to the lives of women diagnosed or living with this disease. Mammographers are the essential members of the breast imaging team. The study aimed to explore and describe the role of communication between mammographers and post-mastectomy patients, before, during and after imaging in the Limpopo province, South Africa.

Methodology: A qualitative exploratory and descriptive design was adopted in this study. Individual in-depth interviews were conducted with patients who had mastectomy, as well as mammographers in selected health care institutions in Limpopo. Purposive sampling was used to allow participants that were more knowledgeable about the subject to be part of the study. Summative content analysis was used to analyse the collected data.

Results: Three themes emerged from the categories and codes from the analysed data. Therefore, according to the results of the interviews mammographers are accommodative, supportive, sympathetic towards patients and making every effort to maintain a good communication path and comprehension between them and their patients. The patients, on the other hand, have high admiration for the work and support of mammographers and perceive mammographers as health care providers who can be trusted and held in high regard.

Conclusion: Communication in health care service delivery is key in ensuring that there is cooperation between health care professionals and their patients. In addition to that, the mode of communication should be taken into consideration. It is recommended that the Radiography and Clinical Technology Board of the Health Professions Council of South, revisits the scope of mammography practitioners in terms of the information that they can communicate with patients, especially those who have been diagnosed or are living with breast cancer.