title: Women's and residents' experiences of communication in the diagnostic mammography suite.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To gain understanding of radiology residents' and women's experiences, concerns, information needs, coping strategies and perspectives about optimal communication during diagnostic mammography.
  
  
  METHODS
  Qualitative analysis of focus groups of radiology residents and women who had undergone diagnostic mammograms.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Five categories of themes emerged from our analysis: information needs, perspectives and ideals, emotional experiences and observations, working together, individual experiences, and others' roles. Women preferred continuous orientation, clear explanations and emotional support by physicians and radiology technologists throughout diagnostic processes. Communication about diagnostic mammogram results evoked the threat of breast cancer and was experienced as "bad news" by women, but not necessarily by all radiology residents. Lack of collaboration among radiologists, technologists and other healthcare professionals engendered confusion and anxiety in patients. Radiology residents felt inadequately prepared to meet the communication challenges of providing information and emotional support tailored to women's needs in this context.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Women's experiences are influenced by the extent to which they receive clear information and support, and perceive collaboration among professionals involved in the diagnostic mammography process.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Radiology education must address communication with patients and among healthcare professionals involved in the care of patients undergoing diagnostic procedures and interventions.
authors.affiliation: Harvard Medical School, Mount Auburn Hospital, Department of Medicine, 300 Mount Auburn Street, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.
authors.forename: Beth A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Lown
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Roy
authors.forename: Phyllis
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gorman
authors.forename: J Pierre
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Sasson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D003142:Communication; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D008327:Mammography; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012938:Social Perception; D012944:Social Support