ABSTRACT
The medical imaging of children and young people is a complex and rewarding part of modern diagnostic radiography. A paediatric patient requiring medical imaging may range from premature newborns to young adults. Within this vast range, each paediatric patient presents individual challenges to the radiographer. Most children will first encounter the hospital environment through an attendance at the emergency department, rather than a specialist centre. As a consequence, radiographers may be less familiar with paediatric patient nuances. The environment and equipment are less likely to be optimised for paediatric patient care. Unlike with most adult patients, children will be supported by their parent, carer or legal guardian. To ensure we best serve our paediatric patients, we must also consider the needs of those that accompany them. By utilising Picker’s principles of person care, this chapter aims to explore patient centered care for children and young people. Topics examined will include: consent, impact of child development and importance of the patient’s caregivers in effective healthcare delivery.
