The effect of patient controlled compression on patient satisfaction and the degree of pain in a mammographic experience.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION Mammography is an important imaging modality which aids in early detection of breast cancer but since breast compression may cause discomfort and pain, several women are afraid to have a mammogram examination. Re-attendance can be encouraged by various factors that can be done to improve the mammographic experience for the patients. This prompted the researcher to assess one of the factors, which is patient controlled compression. In a previous study (Komguth et al., 1993) patient controlled compression was proven to lower the pain felt by women during breast compression and to enhance patient satisfaction. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of patient controlled compression may have on patient satisfaction and on the amount of pain experienced by Maltese women attending a General Hospital in Malta for a mammogram examination. METHODOLOGY The sample consisted of 15 women who were undergoing a mammogram examination at a General Hospital in Malta. The participants performed patient applied compression on one breast following the radiographer controlled compression on the other breast. Demographic data and both the amounts of compression force applied by the patient and by the radiographer were noted. Subsequently the women completed a questionnaire. RESULTS This study demonstrated that when women experienced pain, the most painful part of the mammographic examination was patient applied compression. Although most of the participants were satisfied with patient controlled compression, this technique was not the primary factor affecting patient satisfaction. CONCLUSION In this study patient controlled compression does not seem to lower the risk of women experiencing pain and it does not seem to affect patient satisfaction during a mammogram examination.