The primary health care team
normally consists of the physician, nurse, social worker, medical technologist,
physiotherapy, nutrition, dentistry, health education, and communication. These
professionals play an important part in health care. The active professional
intervention is vital to positive outcome of the patient’s treatment.
Radiographers use the x-rays
to create images of body parts and organs for diagnostic functions. Their roles
vary depending on the type of x-ray that a patient needs. They detect disease
and broken bones. The different types of images include: fluoroscopy, MRI,
x-ray and ultrasound. A computed tomography (CT) is used by radiographers to
create 3D images showing the internal part of the body. The computer then
splits the images into slices to show much more tiny details about the body.
The scans from CT aid the doctors in diagnosing cancer and other serious
diseases.
The X-rays that pass through
are captured by a detector which gives a 2D illustration of all the structures.
Treatment involving the use of radiation is called radiotherapy.
Radiographers use the
magnetic resonance imaging machine (MRI) to develop a 3D map of body tissues.
The machines usually build a 2D or 3D map of the different types of the tissues
in the body which radiographers use to determine if a tissue is either normal
or abnormal. The use of ultrasound machine is to check circulation in the human
body. It is used to examine organs such as the heart. It involves the use of
high frequency sound waves in order to produce pictures of the internal part of
the body. The ultrasound machine is very important to radiographers because
they can use it to observe the health of an unborn child.
Mammography is the X-ray
examination of soft tissues like breasts. It has been used by women to screen
for breast cancer, and in viewing male's breasts. The radiation in mammography
is softer than that used for harder tissues. Dental radiation involves the use
of a small radiation with a high penetration because teeth are relatively dense.
As such, a dentist can use X-ray equipments to examine teeth and gum.
Radiologic technology is the
science, involving the use of x-rays for therapeutic or diagnostic purposes.
The radiographer performs the examination which creates the images needed for
diagnosis. Radiography needs scientific knowledge and the technical skills to
provide quality patient care and to get important diagnostic information.
Radiographers must understanding human anatomy, pathology and physiology, and
the medical terms. Radiographers link patients and radiologists. They should
remain sensitive to both physical and emotional needs of the patient. They
should also involve ethical judgment and critical thinking while at work. The
provision of customer service and quality improvement allows radiographers to
become an accountable part of the health care team by assessing professional
performance.
Radiography is a profession
that changes due to technological advances and demand for change driven by
shortages in personnel within the healthcare system. Some radiographers have
utilized their skill and expertise so as to increase the expertise available to
patients, thus improving the health care of patients. The role of radiographers
expands, and so does the potential for risks. As such, they must care for
patients appropriately and comply with code of professional conduct. Each
health professional is still accountable and responsible for their actions
legally. Threats that could arise through radiographers' role expanding include
medico-legal.
The
importance of professionalism in health care
Professionalism can be divided
into three different sections. These are professional parameters, professional
behaviours and values, and professional responsibilities.
Professional parameters is
relating to the principles of ethical and lawful matters. Professional
behaviours and values are relating to the area of knowledge and abilities, and
also bonds with patients and team members. Professional responsibilities
include personal, employers, patients and social responsibilities.
Behaviours mean attitudes.
Values mean beliefs of one’s self. Professional behaviours and values could be
broken down into altruism, acceptance and non-judgemental attitude,
confidentiality, accountability, communication between professional and
patient, as well as self-improvement.
Altruism is defined as an
unselfish act in response to a goal in offering service to others. This applies
when a patient comes to a health care professional for treatment. In this
situation, the patient’s needs are crucial to attend to rather than the
individual professional’s own needs but this does not mean that the
professional must put aside or sacrifice their health or other factors in their
life for the sake of the patient. In terms of giving care, compassion and
treatment to the patient, a professional must prioritize the patient first
rather than himself.
Say for example, a physician
finishes his shift for the day and is about to leave his workplace when an
emergency accident case of a child comes in. There is a lack of workforce at
that period of time as it is the holiday season. Instead of leaving the
hospital to attend to an appointment made after work, the physician should
attend to the case before leaving.
Altruism can also be
associated with genuineness, empathy and compassion while performing a task.
When a person is evoked with empathy towards another individual, altruistic
motive is created. In other words, empathy gives rise to help being provided to
the individual in need. Indirectly, altruism not only enriches the experience
of a professional but also matures the professional with in numerous cases
handled every day. Professionals with altruism will have good social
relationships with patients and colleagues. On the whole, altruism is being
passionate about one’s profession.
Another key ingredient in
professionalism is acceptance and non-judgemental attitude. Accepting a patient
include listening and responding to patient’s feelings with sensitivity,
showing sincere concern towards the problem, recognizing others’ opinions and
generating respect. Besides that, acceptance is also inclusive of construction
of patient’s strengths and recognizing the ability of each patient for
transformation to overcome problems.
On the contrary, there are
many causes which hinder a professional from practicing these values. Among
them are deficiency in psychology knowledge and self-awareness, unfairness, and
biasness.
On the other hand,
non-judgemental attitude is allied with acceptance. In a smaller picture,
non-judgmentalism is defined as free from favouritism and prejudice. A
professional is ought to treat a patient with rights rather than taking the
patient as an entity. As a matter of fact, patients should be treated and cared
for with equality and without judging social class, race, colour or creed.
Another vital cornerstone in
professionalism is confidentiality. Confidentiality is the responsibility of
not disclosing a patient’s information to colleagues or members of the society.
This information is sensitive as they comprise of the patient’s feelings,
discussions and feedbacks from the professionals plus medical records. The
chief elements are trust, truthfulness and fidelity which must be rooted in
both professional and patient. In a patient-professional relationship, patients
disclose embarrassing, shameful and agonizing information to the professional
with great trust and expectations that the professional will safeguard this
information.
Confidentiality is not
absolute whereby under a specific situation, revelation of information is
required. For example, when a problem is suspected, such as child abuse. In
this case, it is the responsibility of the professional to take appropriate
actions based on the ethical laws.
Besides that, another
requirement of a professional is to be accountable. Accountability means being
liable to one’s judgments and being able to give explanations when required.
Related to this, professionals must be knowledgeable and experienced in their
skills and performance in accordance to their practice. This includes
fulfilling the duty to obey by the ethical laws and avoid appalling practices
and responsibility towards patients.
Accountability has
connection with patient-professional relationship. A helping relationship is
formed based on this fundamental relationship. Basically, a helping
relationship is whereby a professional addresses solutions and advice to the
patient as part of the recovery process. This relationship should be mutual in
which the professional acknowledges the views of the patient. Essentially, a
professional should be familiar with the faiths and values of the patient as
well as to decide what is best for the patient. Not only that, a professional
should be able to empower and motivate a patient for an ongoing process of
treatment which requires psychological skills. On the other hand, the patient
should be informed specifically regarding the medical care received.
Patients approach the
professional due to mental and physical ailments. So, the professional should
give the best care to the patient. With efficient communication skills and
positive nature of the patient’s participation, this relationship will continue
to grow with time as long as there is readiness to listen and congruency from
both parties.
Another component in
professionalism is collegiality. Collegiality is the relationship between
colleagues who seek the requirement of respect, mutual trust, acknowledgement
of each other’s knowledge and cooperation between team mates. As this
relationship can have an adverse effect on a patient’s wellbeing, it is the
duty of the professional to maintain healthy relationships with their team
mates. This involves critical teamwork skills especially when it comes to
referrals, consultations, discussions and diagnoses. When a conflict occurs,
team mates should discuss the matter without being affected by personal
prejudice and come up with a suitable solution. With this, the patient is
guaranteed to receive a standard and holistic care.
From a professional point of
view, self-improvement is another key substance in the practice of health care.
A professional should evaluate themselves rationally from time to time based on
their attitudes, efficiency and interest in their field of practice without
presuming that everything is known well to them. With respect to this, a
professional is expected to continue education to update their knowledge and
skills. Not only that, they should get involved in discussions with other
health care professionals, professional training and consultations. The
experience obtained will ensure delivery of appropriate treatment with
efficiency.
A professional should also
seek help from other professionals when required. The willingness to accept
critics should also be implanted as this will lead to a better understanding of
the level of competency of a professional. It is solely the duty of the
professional to ensure that the standards and values practiced are in par with
the level of competency required.
In conclusion, the
professional behaviours mentioned, if practiced to the utmost interest, will
generate a positive impact among health care professionals in order to offer
quality service and treatment to the patients. Together with the practice of
professional parameters and responsibilities, there will be an indirectly pose
on the health care system to be effective in serving the public.
