Communication and Age
Patient age must be factored into communication techniques. It is very important to consider the patient's age and know how to communicate with him/her.
Age is not a barrier to effective communication as long as you know how to communicate with different age groups.
The age of the patient determines how you should communicate with him/her.
Small children can be a challenge to radiograph. Sometimes offering a reward will help, such as, a sticker. Many imaging departments keep stickers to give out to children. You should get down to the child's level and not stand above him/her. You should praise and reassure the child. In many cases, it can help if you ask for the child's help. You should always be honest with the child. Do not tell the child it will not hurt it all if there is a possibility that it will hurt.
Some age groups to consider area:
Infant - Birth to 1 year old
Toddlers - 1-3 years old
Preschoolers - 3-5 years old
School-aged children - 5-10 years old
Adolescents - 10-25 years old
Young adults - 25-45 years old
Middle-aged adults - 45-65 years old
Mature adults - 65 years old and older
Pediatric Patients
When imaging pediatric patients, you should:
•Come down to their eye level to talk. It can intimidate them if you are standing above them.
•Speak softly and less authoritatively. If you are loud or gruff, it might frighten the child.
•Set up equipment before the child enters the exam room. You don't want the child to be in the room longer than needed.
•Soften room lighting.
•Avoid loud and dramatic equipment movements. The x-ray room can be a scary place.
•Use gentle touch.
•Maintain eye contact.
Here are some more age specific considerations.
Children (Toddlers) Age 1 to 3
These children can be the most difficult! It is at this age that children often throw tantrums and they usually get results. You can suggest that they're having their picture taken and tell them to smile for the camera. This may put the child at ease.
Children (Preschoolers) Age 3 to 5
These children usually want to do things correctly and they like to mimic adults. So, for these children let them be grown-up for the exam. This means that you talk directly to them and involve them in what you're doing. Again, you can suggest that they're having their picture taken and tell them to smile for the camera.
Children (School-Aged) Age 5 to 10
These children are usually eager to please and are most often the easiest to image. One thing you must consider with these children is that they are at a very tender time in their lives. You must be very careful to protect their privacy.
Adolescents Age 10-25
Adolescents can be treated as adults, but be careful to recognize their emotional needs. We also must be sensitive to the pregnancy issue. It may be necessary to ask an adolescent female prepregnancy status away from the parents or guardians. Many adolescent females will not be honest in front of their parents or guardians.
Middle-Aged Adults 45-65
Mature Adults (Senior Citizens) 65 and Older
Middle-aged and mature adults can have many of the same characteristics and needs. So for both, you should always:
•Maintain eye contact. This shows the patient that you are interested in him/her and why he/she is there.
•Speak clearly and more slowly. It may be hard for the patient to follow instructions and to understand you if you are speaking too fast.
•Speak to them, not away from them. If a patient has some hearing loss, it will help them if you are looking at them when you are speaking.
•Keep them warm if needed.
•Ask permission to touch. Always let the patient know when you are going to touch him/her and where.
•Demonstrate compassion. Patients usually don't want to be there, they have to be there, so treat them with compassion.
Treat them as if they were your mother, father, grandmother, grandfather or sibling. Remember, treat others as you would like to be treated.
Ask them what makes them more comfortable. A patient will be more cooperative if he/she is comfortable.
•Explain thoroughly and keep them informed. Keep explaining what you are doing, as you do it.
•Treat them with respect and patience.
Many senior citizens may have special needs. They are normally very tough and will be reluctant to complain. You must take the initiative to treat them appropriately.
You must take into consideration that seniors can have disabilities related to loss of hearing or sight. They may also have painful illnesses that are not outwardly obvious.
While you should be aware that these conditions exist, don't treat the senior patient as an invalid! You should see what their abilities are first, then decide how to proceed.
For example, not all senior citizens have hearing loss. You shouldn't automatically raise your voice when you're imaging a senior----this can be very offensive to those who can hear.