The Importance Of Verbal Communication In The Pediatrics

Communication can either be verbal or nonverbal. Verbal communication is oral or written communication, while nonverbal communication includes body language, gestures, facial expressions, palpation, and visual contact. All types of communication are vital in all aspects of the healthcare field, especially in radiography. Whether it is getting a patients history, explaining a radiographic procedures to the patient, demonstrating and explaining patient positions, palpating a landmark, giving the patient breathing instructions, or comforting the patient, communication is important and without communication procedures in radiology cannot be completed. Pediatrics, ages 0-18, grow a lot behaviorally and intellectually during these years. Pediatrics

Many children are afraid of the hospital and walking into a room with a lot of large equipment and unfamiliar noises can be scary. By being positive, explaining the procedure to the child in simple terms and encouraging the child throughout the entire procedure, the radiographer may alleviate some of the fear and stress from the child. If the child is getting a x-ray, explain to the child that the x-ray tube is just like a camera and the camera takes pictures of bones. Letting the child know that x-rays do not hurt could help calm the child down as well. Also, giving the child a toy, if the facility has any available, could calm the child down. If a child brings in a toy or blanket the radiographer should try to let the child keep it, as it can comfort the child. Another way for the radiographer to calm and distract the child could be asking the child what their favorite movie or cartoon character is and talking about the movie or cartoon character. Non-verbal communication is just as important with pediatric patients. Facial expressions, such as smiling or even silly faces, eye contact, and listening to what the patient has to say will help the radiographer build a relationship with the child. Building a relationship with the patient helps the technologist out and gets the procedure completed more efficiently. Children are much shorter than adults,

Without communication, the radiographer would not be about to complete an exam. Pediatric patients can be between the ages of 0-18. Between those 18 years, children mature and are able to communicate better with age. Pediatrics can be further be splits into infants, toddlers, preschoolers, elementary aged children, preteens, and teenagers. Communication with pediatrics has many challenges. When communicating with a pediatric patient, the radiographer also has to communicate with the parent, while still engaging the child. A pediatric patient may come into the radiology department scared, which can be a challenge. By communicating with a child during the entire procedure, the child will feel more comfortable. Hopefully the next time the child has to have a procedure in the radiology department they will not be as