Radiologist-patient relation in obstetric ultrasound: a bioethical approach

Abstract

This study aimed at knowing the radiologist - patient relationship during obstetric ultrasound examinations from women and radiologist's points of view with focus on principialism. This qualitative, exploratory, and transversal approach,  10  pregnant  women  and  10  radiologists  were  interviewed,  through  semi-structured,  recorded  and literal  transcribe  interviews.  The methodological  guidelines  of  the Collective  Subject  Discourse  (CSD)  were used for selection of the central ideas and key phrases. We identified the following social representations from pregnant women: "information about the fetus," "delivery day", "guidance on the exam," "negative expectation overcome," "kindness," "be nice", "low expectations" and "attention." And, from radiologists: "to reassure the patient,"  "managing  situations",  "be  nice"  and  "attention,  respect,  trust  and  affection"  to  the  patient.  It  was found that in the radiologist-patient-relationship, specific technical knowledge, the human relationship, and care for pregnant women are essential for human life and bioethical principles valuation.