Satisfaction of Patients Examined with Mobile X-Ray vs. X-Ray at the Hospital—A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background: In the Municipality of Aarhus, Denmark, mobile X-ray is offered to selected patients when a transfer to the Department of Radiology may be an obstacle. To our knowledge, no studies have examined patient’s satisfaction with mobile X-ray in a randomized controlled trial, but international qualitative and quantitative studies report a high level of patient satisfaction with mobile X-ray. Purpose: The purpose of the study was to investigate whether patients in aged care facilities who were offered mobile X-ray were more satisfied with the X-ray examination compared to patients examined with X-ray at the Department of Radiology, Aarhus University Hospital. Design: A part of a randomized controlled trial. Methods: Satisfaction was measured using a self-developed questionnaire, containing 13 questions measuring satisfaction from different perspectives. Participants: Due to patient’s fragility, healthcare staff members answered questions concerning satisfaction on behalf of the patients, who had been examined with mobile X-ray (n = 66) or X-ray at the hospital (n = 63). The patients were living in nursing homes and homes for the elderly in Aarhus Municipality. Data: Data were collected and stored using the computer program REDCap. Data were statistically analyzed using Fisher’s exact test. Results: Patients examined with mobile X-ray had a significantly higher satisfaction rate than those examined with X-ray at the hospital. Conclusion: Satisfaction of patients examined with X-ray was reported by healthcare staff to be in favor of mobile X-ray.