Survey Assesses Patients’ Understanding of Own Imaging Exams

A study by researchers at the NYU Langone Medical Center (New York, NY, USA) investigating patients’ knowledge of the nature of imaging exams they were about to undergo, has been published online in the April 10, 2015, issue of the Journal of the American College of Radiology.

A total of 176 patients, 109 women and 67 men, with a mean age of 50 years, completed a survey, before undergoing a radiological imaging examination at NYU Langone Medical Center. Forty-one of the patients were waiting for Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), 44 for nuclear medicine, and 45 for Computed Tomography (CT) exams.

The results showed that only 76 of 166 knew if their examination would involve the use ionizing radiation, and 23 of 45 knew that intravenous contrast was going to be injected for their examination. Most patients said that the ordering physician had explained the examination beforehand. A significant number, 90 of 170 patients, wanted to discuss the examination with a radiologist beforehand.

Patients coming for a CT were most informed about their exam, while those coming for nuclear medicine were least informed.

The study concluded that the patients were only partially knowledgeable about their upcoming imaging examinations, and that initiatives to improve patients’ empowerment, and understanding were necessary to improve patient-centered care.

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NYU Langone Medical Center