Chapter Reviews
In chapter one, you were given a refresher course on the history of MRI and the what and why of MRI psychology, the prevalence of anxiety in the MRI environment, and some of the factors that may cause patient’s stress. Additionally, you learned the patient demographics of people who may suffer from anxiety, giving you important information about who may need more attentive patient care. Lastly, you learned the financial effects of MRI anxiety on imaging centers, patients, and technologists alike.
Chapter two covered the nuts and bolts of MRI psychology including the common anxiety disorders you may have encountered in the MRI department. PTSD or post-traumatic stress disorder, although not considered an anxiety disorder but a psychiatric disorder, is common worldwide and included here because the MRI exam can trigger anxiety in people who suffer from this affliction. This chapter also included defining anxiety and anxiety disorders. The physiology of anxiety and each disorder was explained as well as their symptoms. This will enable technologists to be able to accurately pinpoint which disorder their patient may be suffering from and, thus, help them calm the patient down.
Chapter 3 discussed the medications, pre-existing conditions, and disabilities that may create a predisposition for MRI anxiety. This information is available to most technologists in a patient’s medical chart; therefore, being able to accurately identify which medications, pre-existing conditions, or disabilities may cause anxiety may influence the technologist to use this information more often to create a more holistic approach to their patient care.
Lastly, Chapter 4 provides an overview of the different types of interventions that have been used to help reduce MRI anxiety. These interventions were categorized as either CAM (complementary alternative medicine) or non-CAM. Each intervention was show-cased by research studies testing their effectiveness in easing anxiety in MRI patients along with any challenges when using them.