Tips for MRI Technologists with Claustrophobic Patients
This blog is now focused on laboratory specialties. This article is here for your information only, as jobs are no longer provided for any radiation technician specialties.
Since close to half of the population is claustrophobic, one challenge of being an MRI technologist is dealing with this fear. Every MRI technologist needs to know the options they have to help their patients to be less afraid. Fortunately, there are several things a MRI technologist can do to help calm a patient.
First, an MRI technologist can suggest an open MRI system. Although, most any MRI technologist who has worked with open MRI systems know that they are not a whole lot less claustrophobia inducing than the normal MRI system. Still, an MRI technologist will often be able to convince patients to try this type of MRI with success.
The next option an MRI technologist can offer is sedation. An MRI technologist who doesn’t work in a site that offers IV sedation may have to put this responsibility on the shoulders of the patient. The patient can bring a prescription medication to the appointment. Of course when taking this route, the MRI technologist must ask the patient to bring someone with them who can drive them home after the exam.
Another option an MRI technologist can mention is to put a sleep mask or washcloth over the eyes of the patient during the exam. Or, the MRI technologist can ask the patient to bring some of their own music to play during the exam.
The most simple method of relaxing a patient an MRI technologist can employ is simply to explain the exam fully before beginning. If the patient knows exactly how long it will take and what each step is, they feel more comfortable. Also, it is best if the MRI technologist checks in on the patient during the exam, when they are not physically with the patient any more, so that the patient does not worry that they have been abandoned.
If all of these tips are used by the MRI technologist and the patient still does not want to undergo the exam, the best thing the MRI technologist can do is to is to simply accept it and not put too much pressure on the patient.
Learn more about hiring an MRI technologist.
- Chiczewski, Nancy (2006, June 12) How to Deal Openly with Claustrophobic Patients. Advance for Imaging and Radiation Thereapy Professionals, 8,70
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