A recent survey revealed that 1 in 7 people cancel their hospital MRI appointments due to fear or anxiety. While MRI is a vital diagnostic tool offering high-resolution, detailed anatomical images without ionizing radiation, many patients, young and old, experience stress, anxiety, or claustrophobia during the procedure. Contrary to misconceptions, MRIs are not dangerous, but the idea of lying in a narrow, enclosed tube triggers discomfort in many.
A calm, cooperative patient improves scan quality by reducing movement, so radiographers must prioritize patient comfort to ensure successful imaging. How Radiology Departments Can Help Relieve Patient Stress Modern MRI scanners are now more patient-friendly, designed to be wider, well-lit, ventilated, and often open at both ends. Radiographers should adopt an unhurried, respectful approach, especially for claustrophobic patients, to create a…
