Mammographer personality traits – elements of the optimal mammogram experience

Abstract

Background: Mammography is not supported optimally by patients as a screening and diagnostic tool for breast cancer, often as result of negative perceptions amongst patients which originate from a range of factors.Objectives: The objective of the wider study was to probe some of the factors impacting on patient perceptions. This article reports findings regarding patients’ preferences and perceptions concerning mammographer personality traits.Method: Descriptive, exploratory research employed a non-probability, convenience sampling method to collect data by means of a questionnaire from 274 mammogram patients in four clinical training centres in Gauteng. Respondents had to rate 24 personality traits in mammographers in terms of importance. Validity, credibility, reliability and ethical considerations were addressed.Results: A questionnaire return rate of 91% was achieved. Descriptive statistics and factor analysis facilitated interpretation of the data and four factors emerged from the personality trait scale.Conclusion: Patients seem to rate mammographers in terms of the trust they instil, the care that they emanate, how safe they make patients feel and how well they communicate. As mammographer-patient interaction plays an integral role in the way patients perceive mammogram experiences, these factors are conceptualised as also being fundamental elements of an optimal mammogram experience.Agtergrond: Mammografie word nie optimaal deur pasiënte as diagnostiese en siftingsmetode vir borskanker ondersteun nie, deels as gevolg van pasiënte se negatiewe perspepsies daarvan, wat aan ’n veskeidenheid faktore toegeskryf kan word.Doelstellings: Die doel van hierdie studie was om van die faktore wat pasiënte se persepsies beïnvloed, te ondersoek. Pasiënte se persepsies en voorkeure ten opsigte van mammograwe se persoonlikheidseienskappe word in hierdie artikel bespreek.Metode: In dié beskrywende, verkennende studie is ’n nie-waarskynlikheid-gerieflikheidsteekproef-metode gebruik om data van 274 mammogram-pasiënte in vier kliniese opleidingsentrums in Gauteng met behulp van ’n vraelys in te win. Die respondente moes die belangrikheid van 24 persoonlikheidseienskappe van mammograwe beoordeel. Geldigheid, betroubaarheid, geloofwaardigheid en etiese oorwegings is in ag geneem.Resultate: Van al die vraelyste is 91% ingehandig. Die data is met behulp van beskrywende statistiek en faktoranalise geïnterpreteer, en vier faktore is uit die persoonlikheidskaal geïdentifiseer.Gevolgtrekking: Dit blyk dat pasiënte mammograwe beoordeel volgens die vertroue wat hulle inboesem, die sorg wat hulle verleen, hoe veilig hulle pasiënte laat voel, asook hoe goed hulle kommunikeer. Aangesien die mammograaf-pasiënt-verhouding pasiënte se indrukke van mammogramme sterk beïnvloed, kan hierdie vier faktore as fundamentele elemente van ’n optimale mammogram-ondersoek beskou word.