Navigating triage challenges: A phenomenological study of radiographers' experiences in Zimbabwean quaternary hospitals

IF 2.8 Q2 RADIOLOGY, NUCLEAR MEDICINE & MEDICAL IMAGING

Radiography Pub Date : 2025-10-01 DOI:10.1016/j.radi.2025.103187

R.N. Dewere , O. Bwanga , B. Chinene

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Introduction

Effective patient triage in radiology is crucial for timely diagnoses, yet many healthcare systems, particularly in resource-limited settings—struggle with implementation. Zimbabwe's quaternary hospitals face systemic barriers, including inconsistent training, equipment shortages, and workflow inefficiencies, leading to delayed care and radiographer burnout. This study aimed to explore radiographers' triage experiences in quaternary hospitals to identify context-specific challenges and inform policy improvements.

Methods

A qualitative phenomenological approach was used to examine radiographers' lived experiences at two quaternary hospitals. Twelve AHPCZ-registered radiographers with at least one year of experience were purposively sampled. Semi-structured interviews were conducted virtually, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using Giorgi's phenomenological framework via NVivo 12. Trustworthiness was ensured through member checking, thick descriptions, and reflexivity.

Results

Six themes were created: (1) Inadequate training—radiographers lacked formal triage education and ongoing updates; (2) Non-standardized protocols—leading to inconsistent prioritization; (3) Staffing shortages—high turnover and understaffing exacerbated workloads; (4) Patient conflicts—cultural and age-related biases disrupted workflows; (5) Equipment limitations—outdated machines and poor maintenance caused delays; and (6) Poor communication—incomplete referral forms hindered decision-making.

Conclusion

The study highlights systemic gaps in Zimbabwe's radiology triage system, emphasizing the need for structured training, standardized protocols, and improved interprofessional communication. Recommendations include integrating triage education into radiography curricula, adopting context-adapted triage frameworks, and implementing digital tools for efficiency. Culturally sensitive patient education and policy reforms for equipment maintenance are also critical.

Implications for practice

These findings offer a roadmap for optimizing triage in resource-constrained settings.

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导航分诊挑战：津巴布韦第四医院放射技师经验的现象学研究

在放射学中，有效的患者分诊对于及时诊断至关重要，然而许多医疗保健系统，特别是在资源有限的环境中，难以实施。津巴布韦的第四医院面临系统性障碍，包括培训不一致、设备短缺和工作流程效率低下，导致护理延误和放射科医师职业倦怠。本研究旨在探讨放射技师在第四医院的分诊经验，以确定具体情况下的挑战，并为政策改进提供信息。方法采用定性现象学方法对两家第四医院放射技师的生活经历进行调查。有意抽取12名具有至少一年经验的ahpcz注册放射技师。半结构化访谈采用虚拟方式进行，逐字转录，并通过NVivo 12使用Giorgi现象学框架进行分析。通过成员检查、厚描述和反身性来确保可信性。结果建立了六个主题：(1)培训不足-放射技师缺乏正规的分诊教育和持续更新；(2)协议不标准化——导致优先级不一致；(3)人员短缺——高流动率和人员不足加剧了工作量；(4)患者文化冲突和年龄相关偏见扰乱了工作流程；(5)设备限制——机器陈旧、维护不善造成延误；(6)沟通不畅——不完整的转诊表格阻碍了决策。结论：该研究突出了津巴布韦放射分诊系统的系统性差距，强调了结构化培训、标准化方案和改进专业间沟通的必要性。建议包括将分诊教育纳入放射学课程，采用适应环境的分诊框架，以及实施提高效率的数字工具。文化敏感的患者教育和设备维护政策改革也至关重要。这些发现为在资源受限的情况下优化分诊提供了路线图。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Radiography RADIOLOGY, NUCLEAR MEDICINE & MEDICAL IMAGING-

CiteScore

4.70

自引率

34.60%

发文量

169

审稿时长

63 days

期刊介绍： Radiography is an International, English language, peer-reviewed journal of diagnostic imaging and radiation therapy. Radiography is the official professional journal of the College of Radiographers and is published quarterly. Radiography aims to publish the highest quality material, both clinical and scientific, on all aspects of diagnostic imaging and radiation therapy and oncology.