Community Medicine Abstracts - College of Medicine and Health ...

Project No. 94 (1996)Attitude and Knowledge of Patients to Imaging Techniques in Al Ain HospitalStudent Authors: Sumayah Abdullah Al MarzouqiFaculty Supervisors: Dr. M.M. HossainAbstract:Objectives To demonstrate the knowledge and attitude of patients toward theradiology department in Al Ain Hospital. To assess the role of physician in patient’spreparation for radiological examination. To define the role of technician in patient’sphysical and psychological preparation. To assess the relationship between the lengthof waiting and their decision to carry on with the examination.Methods The study was conducted in radiology department waiting rooms in Al AinHospital. The target population was patients who attended their appointments forbarium meal enema, urography, CT scan and U/S. A standardized questionnaire wasused to interview each patient during waiting. The sample size was 100.Results Doctors provided the patients with reasons of their investigations for 90% ofCT patients, 88.7%and 84.6% of U/S and urography patients respectively. WhileBarium Meal 77.8% and Barium Enema 50% fully aware and 33.3% were partiallyaware about the reasons. Regarding doctors discussion of the preparation the resultswere opposite to that of reasons discussion. However 85% of patients preferreddoctors as source of their information about the preparation. The technician told thepreparation for most Barium meal, enema and urography patients, but about 50% ofCT and U/S patients denied receiving that information. Out of 46 patients with worriesonly one received reassurance from the staff without asking for it, however 6 soughtreassurance from the staff in whom 33.3% felt better, 50% partially got better and16.7% didn’t feel better at all.Conclusion Patients knowledge about the preparation came mainly from thetechnician, while the reasons for their investigation from the physician. Also techniciandid not provide full psychological support for patients with worries. Moreover U/Swaiting area created discomfort for the patients.In general waiting was acceptable tothe patients. Finally majority of the patients were pre determined to comply with theirappointment before coming to the hospital.