Predicting the Clinician's Behavioural Intention to Supply Adequate Information on the X-Ray Request Communication Tool in Kenyan Hospitals: Literature Review

Abstract

Introduction: Effective communication in healthcare is essential for delivery of quality services. The X-ray request forms are vital written communication tools for referring patients to the X-ray department from the clinician to the radiologist/radiographer (Depasquale & Crockford, 2005). Currently, many scholars have demonstrated a growing concern regarding the high number of unjustified radiation exposures to patients because of provision of inadequate information on the x-ray request forms by clinicians to the radiologists. Furthermore, inadequate or incomplete information on the request form leads to medical errors besides the delay of radiological examination reports thus interfering with optimal patient care. In non-clinical populations, an individual's "intention to do something” is the most proximal predictor of the actual behaviour. Many scholars consider clinical practice a form of human behaviour in which cognitive theories may proffer a scientific basis for the choice of intervention to use in the implementation of new practice (Eccles et al, 2006). The cognitive clinical behaviour of providing adequate information on the x-ray request forms warrants investigation to establish the most proximal cognitive predictor upon which to direct interventional measures.

Problem Statement: Interventional strategies informed by theory lead to successful behavioural change and communication. Most of the documented studies worldwide on X-ray prescription have dwelt on assessing the adequacy of the X-ray prescription request form as a communication tool, but they have not investigated the clinician's behavioural intention to supply the requisite information on the X-ray request form. These studies being clinical audits of the X-ray request forms are bereft of theory. The decision to engage in a particular clinical behaviour involves interplay of cognitive variables like attitude and personal etiquette. Nevertheless, according to Eccles et al (2006) the other modifiable constraints like governance and legal framework act as control variables of clinical behaviour. The purpose of the present study was to fill the gap in the literature by incorporating a theory driven model in identifying the influence of cognitive predictors on the clinician's behavioural intention to provide adequate information on the X-ray request form.

Objectives: The main objective of the study is to review literature about the influence of cognitive factors on the clinician's behavioural intention to supply adequate information on the X-ray request communication tool in Kenya.

Method: Literature search via various electronic journal search engines based on the following Key words: X-ray request form, radiology referral communication, cognitive factors influencing clinical behaviour

Conclusion: Understanding the influence of cognitive factors of the clinician's behavioural intention to provide adequate details on the X-ray request form as a communication tool is paramount in the design of intervention strategies to improve interpersonal communication between healthcare providers that in turn will improve patient-care.