X-ray adventures for young patients
Child-friendly booklets help ease children's and parent's concerns about x-rays.
A radiographer from Scotland who decided young patients weren’t getting enough support has taken matters into his own hands.
Keith Lennox who works in the radiology department at Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary, has developed story books to help children about to be x-rayed.
Keith said: “In a busy department it’s not always possible to devote the amount of time that could ideally be given to young children. I noticed the amount of preparation provided to the child by the parent or carer was, at times, inadequate and at others non- existent. As a result I noted a high number of these patients became very distressed when brought into the examination rooms. The aim is that children will enter the examination room knowing who and what to expect.”
There are two versions of the booklet: ‘Callum’s X-ray Adventure’ designed for outpatients and children attending through A&E and ‘Sarah’s X-ray Adventure’ for children attending from the ward.
“Initial feedback from parents and carers has been very positive, and in all cases has improved the experience of both the child and parent/carer. Both versions of the booklet also contain important information for the parent/carer regarding the medical use of radiation, the role of radiographers and radiologists and the types of restraint that might be employed during an examination.”
The booklets can be printed off locally and cost a fraction of the price of similar, paid-for publications. A colour printer and a laminator to increase longevity is all that is required.
Click here to download Callum's X-ray Adventure (outpatient/A&E version) PDF
Click here to download Sarah's X-ray Adventure (inpatient version) PDF
Posted: 11/11/2007
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