Content area
Full Text
A discussion paper.
n this article, we discuss values-based practice in radiography. We consider how the values of our patients can have an influence on our practice and how radiographers could give further consideration to this important aspect of patient care. We start by exploring what values-based practice is, provide an example case study to illustrate the principles of values-based practice and then we discuss some of the issues for radiography practice.
Values can be defined as: principles or standards of behaviour; one's judgement of what is important in life1.
Values-based practice (VBP) can be defined as: A clinical skills-based approach to working with complex and conflicting values in healthcare. It is a twin framework to evidence-based practice (EBP)2.
There are of course, other terms that we might use to express the same aspects; for example we might refer to holistic care, compassionate care3, or person-centred care4. In all of these statements we are putting the patient at the centre and giving consideration to their thoughts, feelings and ideals. Rather than treating the patient as just another patient to be treated or another x-ray examination5, we are treating the patient as an individual and reducing the objectification of the patient.
Following the Francis report6 there has been an increased focus on care and compassion within health and social care. The Society of Radiographers (SoR) Code of Professional Conduct7 requires radiographers to provide the best compassionate care based on the most up to date evidence. Campaigns such as 'Hello my name is'8, have served to refocus the attention of healthcare professionals to the needs of the patient. A simple introduction means more than just its face value; it provides the patient with a friendly welcome to the examination and an opening up of communication between the healthcare professional and the patient.
'In my mind #hellomynameis is the first rung on the ladder to providing truly person-centred, compassionate care'8.
Over the past three years there has been a greater emphasis placed on the NHS core values; respect and dignity, commitment to the quality of care, compassion, improving lives, working together for patients and everyone counts9, and the six Cs in nursing; care, compassion, competence, communication, courage and commitment10. This has resulted in values-based recruitment being used...