Study Shows Patients Want to Be Informed About Risks

When it comes to patients, doctors know their conditions and the best way to treat those diseases. However, this is not always acceptable to the people who rely on their physicians. Patients want to know the details of their diseases, as well as the considerations and decisions that go into their doctors' diagnoses and treatment plans.

Patients want to understand risks
A recent study conducted by researchers at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and published in the journal Radiology indicated that cancer patients want more information regarding the risks of medical imaging before treatment. While they appreciate the benefits of diagnostic radiology, patients would prefer for their physicians to initiate discussions about the disadvantages as well. Oncologists know how best to diagnose and treat their subjects. However, their patients want to understand the reasoning and thought processes that goes into deciding which tests to order.

Cancer patients in remission, as opposed to those still fighting the disease, especially desire knowledge concerning radiation risks, the Radiological Society of North America explained in a press release. Those people want to keep in mind what can exacerbate their conditions and how to avoid those things, the study's lead author and interventional radiologist at the MSKCC, Raymond Thornton, M.D., told the source.

Desire to be part of decision-making process
While doctors may be more knowledgeable about certain conditions and their treatments, they should not be the only ones who make decisions. There has been an increase in patients wanting to be part of determining what works best for them. Shared decision making allows patients to feel like they are taking proactive roles in their treatments as opposed to being told what to do, explained Kaiser Health News. Not every patient is the same, so what is best for one might not work for another.

"Patients and families need to be in the driver's seat with their doctors, making decisions that are the right choice for them for their unique circumstances," Jeff Belkora, who runs the collaborative decision program Patient Support Corps, told the source.

Patients want their own doctors to provide them with information and discuss any treatment suggestions with them, the RSNA explained. They want to be informed so they know what to expect going into exams and tests.

While medical imaging can provide physicians and oncologists with crucial information for diagnosing patients, it directly affects the patients on whom these scans are being performed. These people want to know both the advantages and disadvantages of this testing so they can make knowledgeable decisions with the doctors they trust instead of going in uninformed.

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Ronny Bachrach

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Responsible for all marketing activities including, press, advertising, trade show coordination, website management, dealer and customer communications.