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Patients Found Unaware Of Radiation Present In Medical Imaging

Dr. And Patient

A study recently conducted by lead author Dr. Andrew Rosenkrantz concluded that over half of people that receive medical imaging exams, such as X-rays, are unsure whether they are exposed to radiation and found that many still have unanswered questions even as they are waiting to undergo the exam.

For the purposes of the study, published in the Journal of the American College of Radiology, a radiology reading room was established within an office-based urologic oncology clinic in proximity to the surgeon’s work area. A radiologist was present in this reading room for a 3-hour shift each day. The frequency and nature of consultations during these shifts were recorded. Also, the clinic’s staff completed a survey assessing the impact that the reading room had on patient management.

Reported by Fox News, an email sent to Reuters by the studies author and associate professor of Radiology at NYU Langone Medical Center, Dr. Andrew Rosenkrantz said, “We did this study seeking to gain insights.”

We did this study seeking to gain insights into just how well patients understood their own tests that they were about to undergo.

Researchers interviewed 176 patients, who were waiting to have medical imaging scans, and asked them to complete a survey gauging their knowledge regarding what their tests were for. The participants were also asked to report on whether their doctor had explained the exam, how well it was explained and whether they still had unanswered questions.

Researchers found that only 46% of people correctly identified whether the exam they were about to undergo employed radiation. Among people who would be drinking a radioactive contrast agent for their exam, just over 50% knew it, while those who would be receiving the contrast agents by injection, just over 70% knew it.

About 78% of participants said that their doctor had explained the exam in advance and 72% percent were satisfied with the explanation. However, nearly one in five still had unanswered questions.

In addition, over half of patients said they would be interested in discussing the exam with a radiologist in advance.

Dr. Michael Zwank, a physician at Regions Hospital in Saint Paul, Minnesota, said of the study, in an email to Yahoo, “It is concerning.”

It is concerning that there is a big group of patients that seem to not have the awareness of radiation exposure that they are or are not experiencing with this imaging.

In other health related news here at Immortal News a recent study showed that psychedelics are not linked to mental health problems.

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