Talk to us! Communication is a key factor in improving the comfort of MRI research participants

Dewey, Rebecca; Ward, Claire; Junor, Andrea; Horobin, Adele

Abstract

Context: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an invaluable diagnostic and research tool. Having an MRI scan is not always comfortable and may deter people from taking part in MRI research. Maximising comfort during scanning will improve participants' experiences and image quality. Objective: To define which factors are important for comfort during a research MRI scan by asking people who have participated in MRI research. Setting and participants: People who had participated in MRI research during the past two years were invited, as 'public advisors' to discuss their experiences together and agree on which factors are most important in ensuring comfort while participating in MRI research. Results: Public advisors ranked researcher-participant communication as the most important factor. In response, an example script to guide MRI researchers in communicating with participants was developed through close consultation between research staff, public advisors, and the public. This outlines the often-missing information necessary to convey to participants, including explaining the reasons behind instructions, managing expectations, providing reassurance, encouragement, and progress updates during scanning. Conclusions: Drawing upon personal experiences as MRI research participants, public advisors highlighted the importance of effective and ongoing researcher communication throughout. The example script may be used as a training tool for researchers to help ensure participants' comfort during scanning. Patient and public contribution: All contributors had previously taken part in MRI research. The project was co-designed, co-delivered and co-authored with a public research partner. Public advisors agreed key factors of importance. External public reviewers and public advisors reviewed example script drafts. Data Availability Statement No further data were generated in this patient and public consultation.

Citation

Dewey, R., Ward, C., Junor, A., & Horobin, A. (2021). Talk to us! Communication is a key factor in improving the comfort of MRI research participants. Health Expectations, 24(4), 1137-1144. https://doi.org/10.1111/hex.13217

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Feb 3, 2021
• Online Publication Date: May 5, 2021
• Publication Date: 2021-08
• Deposit Date: Apr 27, 2021
• Publicly Available Date: May 5, 2021
• Journal: Health Expectations
• Print ISSN: 1369-6513
• Electronic ISSN: 1369-7625
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 24
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 1137-1144
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/hex.13217
• Keywords: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/5498596
• Publisher URL: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/hex.13217