Quality of patient care has received much publicity with patients becoming more informed about their rights in the hospital. Consequently they are making greater healthcare demands. Increasing consideration needs to be taken of the quality of care given to the patients, and of their feelings about the services provided. The research investigates patients experiences of barium enemas, with the aim of gaining a holistic view of the examination, and addresses the area of patient information in this context. The underlying purpose of the research is to employ professional knowledge to address the psychological needs of patients. The research has tracked the patient's experience and perception of the barium enema examination throughout its whole process. This involved three main phases using both qualitative and quantitative methods, each focusing on patient care and satisfaction. Using interviews it was established that patients attending for barium enema were anxious. Following this the relationship between information and anxiety was addressed using a computer assisted learning package and a specially designed information leaflet. It was found that patients who had received the information leaflet had statistically significant reduced levels of anxiety. Furthermore, patients receiving the leaflet had a stronger feeling of having sufficient information than those who received only the standard hospital information. Giving the patient information relating to the procedures and likely sensations has been shown to reduce their anxiety level. The computer package showed potential for knowledge gain and usability. Implications of the results are in the area of professionalism, role development and standards for care of the patient in the diagnostic imaging department. Clinical implications are at a patient management level, with attention to continuity of care. It is suggested that high quality patient care and increased patient satisfaction can result when a more holistic and patient centred approach is adopted by radiographers.

Library anxiety has been a concept since 1986, when Constance A. Mellon coined the phenomenon through her qualitative study on feelings that students experienced when interacting with academic libraries. In this essay we are looking at the origin of the concept through earlier research on the known barriers, trying to see what makes library anxiety unique compared to other seemingly related concepts, for example information anxiety. We’ve found many different concepts which can be part of library anxiety, or vice-versa, and many different extensions of LAS – the original scale to measure library anxiety. We aim to unravel some of those concepts we find of importance for library anxiety and its discourse. Looking at this through the lenses of Koselleck’s take on conceptual history, we see possible conflicts on where the concept library anxiety are heading; depending on what aspects of the concept the researcher read into and focusing on and in what context and time the articles were made. We also try to see who is considered responsible for shaping the discourse and if there is some kind of hegemonic struggle therein.

No description available.