Exploring the views of patients undergoing SPECT/CT examination.
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring the views of patients undergoing SPECT/CT examination in relation to their anxieties and the potential impact of improved knowledge of the procedure. A qualitative study using post procedural semi-structured interviews.
IRAS ID
261847
Contact name
Simon King
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of the West of England
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 4 months, 30 days
Research summary
The aim of this study is to understand the views, perceptions and preferences of patients attending for a scanning procedure known as Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography/Computed Tomography (SPECT/CT). This procedure is a relatively new and complex type of imaging that is carried out in order to provide an accurate and early diagnosis of disease (often in an oncology setting) and is of high importance in healthcare environments. The complexity of this specialist scan means that it is more difficult to conduct and requires imposing equipment compared with traditional diagnostic imaging, which may have an impact on the patient experience in terms of their ability to tolerate the procedure due to anxiety.
Research suggests that anxiety can often be attributed to, or exacerbated by, a patient’s lack of understanding of the process, thus highlighting the importance of effective information being given to patients. It is therefore concerning that several studies report that patients are ill-prepared for the scan and that for many patients there appears to be an ‘expectation-reality divide’ whereby assumptions are made of future events that do not materialise (Nightingale et al, 2012; Andersson et al, 2016).
Although evidence and data are limited in this area, previous work and clinical experience indicates that an increase in self-reported anxiety levels frequently creates issues with patient compliance, attendance and image quality. Further qualitative research in the form of semi-structured interviews is therefore required to better understand the views of patients undergoing SPECT/CT examination in relation to their anxieties, the potential impact of improved knowledge of the procedure and any pre-examination preferences for information in order to prepare them effectively for their scan and reduce anxiety levels.
Refs:
Andersson C, Johansson B, Wassberg C, Johansson S, Sundin A and Ahlstrom H (2016) Assessment of Whether Patients Knowledge, Satisfaction,and Experience Regarding Their F18-Fluoride PET/CT Examination Affects Image Quality Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology 44: 21-25Nightingale, J.M, Murphy, F.J and Blakeley C (2012) ‘I thought it was just an x-ray’: a qualitative investigation of patient experiences in cardiac SPECT/CT imaging Nuclear Medicine Communications 33(3):246-254
REC name
London - Riverside Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/LO/1400
Date of REC Opinion
22 Aug 2019
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion