1. Problem Solving

2. Why is it required? To perform a given task ; To perform a given task ; –quickly, –efficiently, and –as comfortably as possible for the patient.

3. Introduction When RT is assigned to a particular patient, he must decide how to perform the assigned task quickly, efficiently, and as comfortably as possible for the patient. When RT is assigned to a particular patient, he must decide how to perform the assigned task quickly, efficiently, and as comfortably as possible for the patient. Before beginning a diagnostic imaging or therapeutic procedure, he must go through a problem –solving process. Before beginning a diagnostic imaging or therapeutic procedure, he must go through a problem –solving process. This may be done in writing initially and may later become a simple thought process. This may be done in writing initially and may later become a simple thought process.

4. Steps in problem solving Step 1 – Assessment (Data collection) Step 1 – Assessment (Data collection) Step 2 – Analyzing Step 2 – Analyzing Step 3 - Listing the potential problems and setting a goal. Step 3 - Listing the potential problems and setting a goal. Step 4 – Formulating a Plan Step 4 – Formulating a Plan Step 5 - Evaluation Step 5 - Evaluation

5. Step 1 – Assessment (Data collection) Date that effects how the procedure will be performed will include : Date that effects how the procedure will be performed will include : Subjective data: includes anything that the patient or accompanying person might say that is pertinent to the procedure.Subjective data: includes anything that the patient or accompanying person might say that is pertinent to the procedure. Objective Data; Anything that the RT sees, hears, smells, feels, reads on a hospital chart,Objective Data; Anything that the RT sees, hears, smells, feels, reads on a hospital chart, or or Reported to him about the patient by another health worker who has care for the patient. Reported to him about the patient by another health worker who has care for the patient.

6. Step 2 – Analyzing After the data has been gathered, it should be analyzed After the data has been gathered, it should be analyzed (e.g., the patient is unable to stand, he has difficulty breathing, he is disoriented). (e.g., the patient is unable to stand, he has difficulty breathing, he is disoriented). Irrelevant data should be disregarded and relevant data listed in priority order. Irrelevant data should be disregarded and relevant data listed in priority order.

7. Step 3 - Listing the potential problems and setting a goal. List the problems that will be encountered. List the problems that will be encountered. Set a goal or target to achieve by performing the procedure Set a goal or target to achieve by performing the procedure

8. Step 4 – Formulating a Plan Prepare a plan to overcome the problems and to achieve the goal Prepare a plan to overcome the problems and to achieve the goal Patient involvement in this process is recommended because the patient will more willing to cooperate to achieve the goal if he feels that he is partially responsible for a successful examination or treatment. Patient involvement in this process is recommended because the patient will more willing to cooperate to achieve the goal if he feels that he is partially responsible for a successful examination or treatment.

9. Performing the task Perform the task Perform the task The use of systematic problem solving allows the RT to accomplish his work assignment in a minimum amount of time with the least amount of effort for him and the greatest comfort and safety for the patient. The use of systematic problem solving allows the RT to accomplish his work assignment in a minimum amount of time with the least amount of effort for him and the greatest comfort and safety for the patient.

10. Step 5 - Evaluation After each procedure is complete, it should be evaluated. The RT should ask himself the following questions: After each procedure is complete, it should be evaluated. The RT should ask himself the following questions: How did the plan work?How did the plan work? What problems arose that I did not anticipate?What problems arose that I did not anticipate? What must I do differently next time?What must I do differently next time?

11. Result of evaluation If this type of evaluation is done after caring for each patient, you will rapidly grow in professionalism and skill. If this type of evaluation is done after caring for each patient, you will rapidly grow in professionalism and skill.

12. Summary The use of systematic problem solving allows the RT to accomplish his work assignment in a minimum amount of time with the least amount of effort for him and the greatest comfort and safety for the patient. The use of systematic problem solving allows the RT to accomplish his work assignment in a minimum amount of time with the least amount of effort for him and the greatest comfort and safety for the patient. The problem solving procedure may be done in writing initially and may later become a simple thought process. The problem solving procedure may be done in writing initially and may later become a simple thought process.

13. End of problem solving Next Summary of what we have learned so far

14. Summary of the lessons Health care services in Sri Lanka Health care services in Sri Lanka Health care Administration Health care Administration Hospital staffing Hospital staffing Members of the Health care team Members of the Health care team Role of the Radiographers/ Radiological Technologists Role of the Radiographers/ Radiological Technologists Professionalism of Radiological technology Professionalism of Radiological technology

15. Professionalism of Radiological Technology Radiography (Radiologic technology) has become a complex and highly specialized profession. Radiography (Radiologic technology) has become a complex and highly specialized profession. The person who selects this profession must : The person who selects this profession must : –Be aware of the ethical and legal constraints that will govern his practice as a member of that profession –Be willing to accept these constraints. –learn the Principles of Professional Conduct for Radiographers and adhere to these principles. –Be aware of the rights of the patient and treat each patient as a human being with dignity and worth.

16. The patient The patient who comes for a diagnostic imaging procedure or radiotherapy procedure is often fearful and anxious because his basic needs are threatened. The patient who comes for a diagnostic imaging procedure or radiotherapy procedure is often fearful and anxious because his basic needs are threatened. Grieving and handicapped patients present particular problems that must be recognized and dealt with. Grieving and handicapped patients present particular problems that must be recognized and dealt with. By means of therapeutic communication techniques, the RT can decrease the patient anxiety. By means of therapeutic communication techniques, the RT can decrease the patient anxiety. Effective communication is often the key to a successful examination or treat5ment; therefore, it is essential for the RT to become a successful communicator. Effective communication is often the key to a successful examination or treat5ment; therefore, it is essential for the RT to become a successful communicator.

17. Problem-solving & planning The RT will need to plan the patient’s care before he begins to work. The RT will need to plan the patient’s care before he begins to work. A systematic problem-solving process that includes assessment, data analysis, setting a goal, establishing a plan to achieve the goal, an evaluating the work done is require for efficiency and safety in completing assignments. A systematic problem-solving process that includes assessment, data analysis, setting a goal, establishing a plan to achieve the goal, an evaluating the work done is require for efficiency and safety in completing assignments.