Research Proposal: Down Syndrome Patients in Radiological Procedures

This research proposal aims to identify methods for creating a friendly environment for pediatric patients with Down syndrome during radiological procedures like X-rays and CT scans. The objectives are to reduce radiation dosage, produce high-quality images, and facilitate efficient diagnosis and treatment. The study's significance lies in addressing the anxiety and potential for poor image quality in this patient population. The research will involve a literature review and clinical interviews with patients, caregivers, and physicians. The methodology includes searching healthcare databases and Google Scholar for relevant articles and applying evidence-based methods in radiology tests. Data will be analyzed thematically, with privacy and confidentiality maintained throughout. The timeline spans several weeks, including literature review, interviews, data collection, and analysis. The research will be conducted in a childcare hospital, with potential risks including adverse physical impacts and patient anxiety. The proposal concludes with references supporting the research's scope and methodology, outlining the importance of creating a more comfortable and effective experience for pediatric patients with Down syndrome undergoing radiological procedures.

Running head: RESEARCH PROPOSAL
RESEARCH PROPOSAL
Name of Student:
Name of University:
Author’s Note:

1RESEARCH PROPOSAL
Introduction
Aim
The main aim of the research is to find the methods for making a friendly environment
for the pediatric patient with Down syndrome during the radiological procedure like X-ray and
CT scan.
Objective
The main objective of the research is following
1. To reduce the patient dose of radiation.
2. To produce the right quality image of the test
3. To ease in diagnosis and treat the patient efficiently for faster recovery.
Significance of the research
In Down syndrome patient, the common mental health issues are anxiety, obsessive
behaviour and depression, which create an interruption in radiological procedures. This has the
potential for high risk of an overdose of radiation or generation of the poor quality image, which
can cause a delay in diagnosis and consequently increases the health burden. The research on
identifying the method to make a friendly environment for the Down syndrome patient can help
the radiologist to make a better diagnosis (Gelfand, Clements and MacLean, 2017). It will have
practical application in the health care sector as time will be saved in imaging the patient and
facilitate good quality image which will help in correct diagnosis and better treatment. The
theory of mind abilities in children with Down syndrome suggest that they have the ability to
adapt to the changing environment. Thus, to research on the methods to create a friendly

2RESEARCH PROPOSAL
atmosphere can facilitate the radiologist test and lower the burden of disease in the health care
sector (Thukral, 2015).
Literature review
The radiological investigation is a vital tool for diagnosis and faster treatment for the
paediatric patient. There are the number of challenges faces by the radiologist in imaging the
paediatric patient, especially with Down syndrome. It is evident from the research of Björkman,
Enskär and Nilsson (2016) that is gaining a quality image of the children, and it involves the trust
of the child and their cooperation throughout the examination. According to O'Neill et al. (2018),
Child with Down syndrome is mostly irritable and wary of the unfamiliar atmosphere. The
author has also stated that to encourage the excellent experience of the patient, and it is important
to make the radiology department child-friendly. He has added by saying that for MRI test, it is
important to sedate the child with the use of immobiliser. However, the finding is argued by
Klavs, Pašagić and Kotar (2016) where the author has highlighted that disrupt of the mental
status of the child with Down syndrome when they are restricted or forced to get involved in any
activities. With the use of immobilizer, the child with Down syndrome can become irritated and
anxious. The study of Jaimes and Gee (2016) has highlighted that steps have been taken to make
a friendly environment for the child by painting the walls with colours, using pictures and
beautiful things.
The research has found that though steps have been taken by the health care professional
to make a friendly environment for the child, there is a research gap noticed. No proper steps
have been taken forward for the Down syndrome children that can address their needs and desire.
Therefore, it essential to search for the best method by which friendly environment can create
considering the perspective of the child and their mental stability.

3RESEARCH PROPOSAL
Study population
The target population will include the paediatric patient with Down syndrome of 7-14
years, their parent and the health care professional involved in the care of the patient like nurses,
physician and radiologist.
Source of information
The source of information for conduction of the research will be categorised into two
means, firstly from the peer-reviewed journal searched from the healthcare database and Google
scholar order to find the methods by which friendly environment can be implemented. Second
source of information will be the parents, physician and radiologist who will give detail about the
effectiveness of the method identified.
Research methodology
To address the research aim and objective of the study, literature review combined with
the clinical intervention of the caregiver, physician and patients will be used. To search for the
literature Google scholar and health care database will be used to assess the peer review articles
focusing on the type of the method that can be effective to create a friendly environment for the
Down syndrome patient. When the evidence-based approach is identified, the method will be
applied in a radiology test of the Down syndrome patient like X-ray and CT scan. In order to
evaluate the effectiveness of the method, the interview will be conducted with patients, parents
and physician.
Data management and analysis
The data collected will be analysed by the mean of thematic analysis, which is a help to
determine the effectiveness of the method in relation to the dose of radiation, quality image of

4RESEARCH PROPOSAL
the test and recovery rate of the patient. For the research, it is essential to manage the data
collected as privacy and confidentiality must be maintained in the research (Sutton and Austin
2015). Hence, the data collected with being saved in the computer and secured by the mean of
the password. The data will be assessable by the researchers in order to protect the privacy of the
patient and other participants.
Timeline
Search literature review- 1 week
Analysis of the literature review- 1 week
Set up for the interview -3 weeks
Conduction of the interview-2 weeks
Data collection-1 week
Data analysis- 2 weeks
Finding-2 weeks
Publishing the research- 2 weeks
Location of research related task activities
The study has included the Paediatric Down syndrome patient and health care
professionals; hence, a location of the survey will be childcare hospital which will have the target
participants.
Risk pertaining to the study
The significant changes that can take place in the study are

5RESEARCH PROPOSAL
1. The negative impact of the method applied can happen on the physical health of the
paediatric patient (Quan et al. 2016).
2. Interview with the paediatric patient can make them anxious.

6RESEARCH PROPOSAL
Reference
Björkman, B., Enskär, K. and Nilsson, S., 2016. Children's and parents' perceptions of care
during the peri-radiographic process when the child is seen for a suspected
fracture. Radiography, 22(1), pp.71-76.
Gelfand, M.J., Clements, C. and MacLean, J.R., 2017, March. Nuclear medicine procedures in
children: special considerations. In Seminars in nuclear medicine (Vol. 47, No. 2, pp. 110-117).
WB Saunders.
Jaimes, C. and Gee, M.S., 2016. Strategies to minimize sedation in pediatric body magnetic
resonance imaging. Pediatric radiology, 46(6), pp.916-927.
Klavs, D., Pašagić, D. and Kotar, N., 2016. Radiation protection in pediatric radiography–
Introducing some immobilization and protection equipment. Paediatrics Today, 12(1), pp.81-86.
O'Neill, M.E., Ryan, A., Kwon, S. and Binns, H.J., 2018. Evaluation of pediatrician adherence to
the American Academy of pediatrics health supervision guidelines for Down
syndrome. American journal on intellectual and developmental disabilities, 123(5), pp.387-398.
Quan, X., Joseph, A., Nanda, U., Moyano-Smith, O., Kanakri, S., Ancheta, C. and Loveless,
E.A., 2016. Improving pediatric radiography patient stress, mood, and parental satisfaction
through positive environmental distractions: A randomized control trial. Journal of pediatric
nursing, 31(1), pp.e11-e22.
Sutton, J. and Austin, Z., 2015. Qualitative research: Data collection, analysis, and
management. The Canadian journal of hospital pharmacy, 68(3), p.226.

7RESEARCH PROPOSAL
Thukral, B.B., 2015. Problems and preferences in pediatric imaging. The Indian journal of
radiology & imaging, 25(4), p.359.