Patients' and radiographers' experiences of dose reducing abdominal compression in radiographic examinations—A qualitative study

Abstract

Aim To describe patients' and radiographers' experiences of abdominal compression using conventional and patient‐controlled compression methods. Design Qualitative descriptive design. Methods Forty‐five patients who had used both a conventional and a patient‐controlled compression device answered questionnaires. Five radiographers were interviewed. The data‐collection took place between September 2015 and February 2017. Data were analysed by qualitative content analysis. Results Patient‐controlled compression was preferred by slightly more patients because of fear of pain due to excessively hard pressure, maintaining control over the pressure and shorter duration. It was more comfortable, and patients felt they could participate in the examinations. Conventional compression was preferred by some because of more stable pressure and uncertainty of own capacity to provide the optimal compression. Discomfort was more often mentioned concerning the conventional compression method. The radiographers experienced the patient‐controlled method as less time‐consuming and more comfortable, but uncertainty about correct compression technique and its effect on radiation dose and image quality was reported.