EXPLAINING MRI TECHNOLOGY TO PATIENTS

MRI, also known as magnetic resonance imaging, is one of the most useful medical testing technologies around. It provides very precise, very detailed images of the internal structures of the body, allowing a physician to get an excellent view of what’s going on inside their patient without making so much as a scratch.

Explaining this technology to patients might be a little bit difficult. There are some aspects of getting one of these scans that may be difficult for some patients to deal with, as well. In addition to this, some patients may not be good candidates for MRI scans, and that needs to be taken into account.

EXPLAINING HOW AN MRI WORKS

If you have patients who are apprehensive about getting an MRI, there are some ways that it can be explained to them that should put their mind at ease. To begin with, magnetic resonance imaging doesn’t actually involve any radiation, which is something that most patients will be glad to hear, despite the fact that x-rays and CT scans (which do involve radiation) can be done entirely safely.

The MRI uses a magnetic field to take the scans, of course, and this is something patients might actually find rather interesting. They’re not being exposed to anything that’s going to hurt them, but they are giving their physician a way to look inside them. That allows them to avoid the nightmare of exploratory surgery, which is certainly much more dangerous than an x-ray, CT scan and, most of all, an MRI.

The one thing about an MRI that might be a bit intimidating for patients is getting a contrast injection. As long as the patient knows why they need the injection and what it’s going to do to help the imaging process, they will likely be fine with the injection, as it is not particularly painful.

There are, of course, some patients who may have reactions to the materials used for contrast and this has to be discussed with them before the procedure begins.

THE CLAUSTROPHOBIA FACTOR

Being slid into the magnet portion of the device is usually very difficult for people who have any degree of claustrophobia. If you have trouble being compassionate to this, imagine having to sit with something you’re terrified of – snakes, bugs, whatever frightens you – on your chest, while being perfectly still for anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour.

Patients who are particularly apprehensive about this may be recommended sedation by their doctors. This can be a great asset for the patient and for the physician, as it allows the patient to relax, get through the procedure and, when it’s all over with, they may not even remember it very well, depending on what type of sedative is given.

The intravenous contrast that some patients will need may also be particularly intimidating, especially for children. This can be addressed the way any type of injection needs to be addressed and can help people to understand why they need the contrast and, of course, the fact that it probably won’t hurt nearly as much as they’re thinking.

THE BENEFITS OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING

It’s not hard to explain the benefits to patients. It allows physicians to see exactly what they’re dealing with inside the patient’s body, to make excellent treatment plans for the patient and to give the patient solid, reliable advice about what’s going on with their body. The bit of discomfort that some patients will experience can be explained away, in many cases and, of course, claustrophobia can be remedied with the right medications, making it generally very easy to tolerate medical scanning procedures for most patients.

Did you know that Eljay X-ray carries a wide variety of MRI supplies and accessories.