Facilitators and barriers to person-centred diagnostic imaging care in low- and middle-income countries: A qualitative study

Introduction
The goal of person-centred care is to tailor healthcare services to each patient's unique circumstances and preferences, ensuring that patients are valued, informed, and actively involved in their treatment. To achieve this, the cooperation of the healthcare provider is required. However, it is challenging to advance this concept in low—and middle-income countries (LMICs). This study aims to identify facilitators and barriers to person-centred diagnostic imaging in LMICs.

Method
An exploratory descriptive qualitative study using semi-structured interviews was conducted among 14 participants recruited through purposive and snowballing techniques. An interview guide informed by the Picker Framework on person-centred care was adopted, and data were analysed using the Attride-Stirling thematic network approach.

Results
All participants were permanently employed in LMICs. Nine were solely clinical practitioners, one was a lecturer only, and four were both. Four main themes were identified, with 11 subthemes, 29 barriers, and 33 facilitators. The main themes included strengthening diagnostic imaging capacity, enhancing high-quality diagnostic imaging professional standards, improving patient and family engagement in diagnostic imaging services, and strengthening the organisational structures of diagnostic imaging services.

Conclusion
To successfully deliver person-centred care, it was recognised that LMICs ought to pursue work to: strengthen diagnostic imaging capacity, improve high-quality diagnostic imaging professional standards, improve patient and family engagement in diagnostic imaging services, and strengthen the organisational structures of diagnostic imaging services.
Implications for practice
Advancing person-centred care in diagnostic imaging practice would enhance patient outcomes and satisfaction among medical imaging professionals.