One of the main drivers behind advancing clinical services is engaging and empowering patients to take control of their health. Using easy-to-understand information, providers can ensure that people of all ages can learn about their conditions and potential treatments, which is especially beneficial in medical imaging.
Brochures improve pediatric imaging comprehension
According to a study published online in the American Journal of Roentgenology, crafting pamphlets with simple language can enhance overall understanding of clinical procedures, HealthImaging reported. The research was led by Robin Gebhard, M.D., from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine.
Approximately 90 million Americans have poor reading comprehension skills, but even people with strong literacy can have a hard time understanding medical information. This disconnect was the focus for Gebhard and colleagues, as the majority of health care materials are written at a 10th grade reading level or higher. When more than 20 percent of adults read at a 5th grade level or below, it becomes very difficult to educate them on clinical matters.
"The purpose of our study was to determine parents' knowledge about pediatric fluoroscopic procedures and potential risk from ionizing radiation before and after being given an informational brochure," wrote the researchers, quoted by HealthImaging. "In addition, we sought feedback from participants regarding the brochure to further improve its content and design."
Following a questionnaire that measured parents' knowledge of the procedure and associated radiation exposure, the survey was redistributed after the participants were given the informational brochure. It contained a definition of fluoroscopy, examination names and radiation dosage comparisons from other procedures. The research team found subjects' knowledge increased, with more correct answers regarding exam details and radiation dose comparison.
Overall, 99 percent of participants rated the brochure as "great" or "good." The University of Cincinnati researchers concluded that providing simplified health information is critical for allowing patients to make informed clinical decisions. Educating people about radiation is vital to diagnostic imaging, and additional research presented at the Radiological Society of North America sought to assess this endeavor.
How much do patients know about dosages?
AuntMinnie.com reported that researchers from MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, hoped to assess patients' understanding of radiation to better educate them about making medical decisions and improving their experience. Led by Joseph Steele, M.D., the team designed and distributed a 25-question survey to 5,462 patients to measure knowledge about the use of radiation.
According to their analysis, the researchers determined that only 22 percent of the participants could accurately define ionizing radiation. Twenty-seven percent believed that radiography does not involve radiation exposure, while 30 percent reported that MRI does. Steele and his team also found that most patients did not understand the risks of imaging, believing that CT exams could cause sterility (23.5 percent), mutations (12.2 percent) and radiation sickness (12 percent).
These studies underscore the importance of educating patients about radiation throughout the continuum of care. This information is critical to empowering people to engage in clinical decision making, a crucial component of Stage 2 Meaningful Use.
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Ronny Bachrach
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