Importance of Interpersonal Communication in Medical Radiography

This report critically analyzes the significance of interpersonal communication in the field of radiography, focusing on its impact on patient care and professional practice. The essay defines interpersonal communication within the healthcare context, emphasizing its role in reducing medical errors and improving patient satisfaction. It highlights the importance of effective communication between radiographers, patients, and other healthcare professionals. The report also includes a personal reflection on the student's journey in radiography, discussing the initial motivations for choosing the field and the evolving understanding of the profession. The reflection touches upon the challenges and rewards of radiography, stressing the importance of interpersonal skills, and the need to minimize radiation exposure. References to peer-reviewed journals are provided to support the analysis.

Running head: INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION 1
Interpersonal communication
Name:
Institution:
Tutor:
Date:

INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION 2
PART 1: Critical analysis of interpersonal communication
Often, healthcare workers are expected in teams. There are the nurses, doctors,
physiotherapists and radiologists who are expected to work in synchrony to achieve the objective
which in most cases, is to treat the patient. For this teams to work together effectively,
communication is key (Gallois & Giles, 2015). Since in most cases the nurse interact with the
patients routinely, he/she has to provide information to other experts like radiologists on the
progress of the patient. Therefore, the success of this teams lies in communication.
Inter personal communication, has on several occasions been defined differently by a
host of experts. In healthcare experts however, it has been defined as the exchange of
information between two or more people (Gopee, 2012). It is not only limited to healthcare
workers but also the patients, carers and their family members. Interpersonal communication is a
very important component among radiographers.
Interpersonal communication reduce malpractice risks. Often, cases of medical errors
have been reported in the radiography department. Medical errors according to surveys, is as a
result of communication breakdown between the radiographer and the patient or other healthcare
workers (Keller, Arnold, & Boggs, 1989). This results to poor or wrong diagnosis and
subsequently wrong medications which eventually leads to legal suits (Ruben, 2014). With
interpersonal communication however, there is quick delivery of medical data, quicker decisions
and this eventually leads to appropriate medications.
Interpersonal communication improves patient satisfaction. Patient satisfaction is the
desire by radiographers. In order for the patients to be fully satisfied, they need to provide their
health related information (Johnson, Wilhelmsson, Börjeson, & Lindberg, 2014). This is only

INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION 3
possible through interpersonal communication since it provides a conducive environment that
patients can fully express their health problems. During the process, radiographers are exhibited
good listening skills and show concern to the patient’s conditions (Kornhaber, Walsh, Duff, &
Walker, 2016). In fact, recent studies show that patients feel safe when they receive maximum
attention from radiographers.
In conclusion, patient satisfaction is the desire by each radiographer. Patient satisfaction
is determined by the quality of communication between the patient and the radiographer. It is
therefore important that both the radiographer and patient take time and incorporate good
interpersonal communication skills like active listening skills to obtain accurate data that will
form the basis for accurate diagnosis and treatment so that in the long run, the patient will be
fully satisfied.
PART 2: Reflection
Being enrolled for Radiography was the best thing that ever happened in my life. Ever
since I started school, my desire was always to become one of the best radiographers in the
world. The desire for radiography begun when I once I visited the radiography department with
my mother. After one hour, my mother was handed an image of her chest X-ray. I got so curious
how it was possible to obtain an image of inner parts of the body. This was one of the motivating
factor I developed the desire to enroll for radiography. With time however, I have also come to
realize that there are different reasons one should consider radiography. I have realized that
radiography is a very vast field. Radiographers have to perform X-rays, CT scans, MRI scans
and perform fluoroscopic procedures. Radiographer is quite interesting but it also challenging. It
is quite physically strenuous and needs maximum attention always. Since the job involves
physically contact with the patients, I have realized that it is necessary to have interpersonal

INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION 4
communication skills. Once a radiographer misses out on vital patient information, the whole
process is likely to be full of flaws. In my opinion, radiography is a very wonderful job that I
would advise anyone each day. However, one is supposed to be very careful and minimize
contact with the rays since they are dangerous and can lead to cancer or even death.

INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION 5
References
Gallois, C., & Giles, H. (2015). Communication Accommodation Theory. The International
Encyclopedia of Language and Social Interaction, 1-18.
doi:10.1002/9781118611463.wbielsi066
Gopee, N. (2012). Communication & interpersonal skills in nursing Shirley Bach
Communication & interpersonal skills in nursing and AlecGrant Learning Matters
£18168pp97808572544980857254499. Nursing Management, 19(2), 9-9.
doi:10.7748/nm.19.2.9.s3
Johnson, C., Wilhelmsson, S., Börjeson, S., & Lindberg, M. (2014). Improvement of
communication and interpersonal competence in telenursing - development of a self-
assessment tool. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 24(11-12), 1489-1501.
doi:10.1111/jocn.12705
Keller, M. L., Arnold, E., & Boggs, K. (1989). Interpersonal Relationships: Professional
Communication Skills for Nurses. The American Journal of Nursing, 89(4), 570.
doi:10.2307/3471069
Kornhaber, R., Walsh, K., Duff, J., & Walker, K. (2016). Enhancing adult therapeutic
interpersonal relationships in the acute health care setting: an integrative review.
Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare, Volume 9, 537-546.
doi:10.2147/jmdh.s116957
Ruben, B. D. (2014). Communication Theory and Health Communication Practice: The
More Things Change, the More They Stay the Same1. Health Communication, 31(1),
1-11. doi:10.1080/10410236.2014.923086