Autism-friendly MRI: Improving radiography practice in the UK, a survey of radiographer practitioners

Stogiannos, Nikolaos; Nugent, Barbara; Brammer, A; Carlier, Sarah; McNulty, Jonathan P.; Reis, Cláudia Sà dos; Malamateniou, Christina

doi:10.1016/j.radi.2021.09.003

Cited by 11 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 35 publications

(38 reference statements)

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“…From the combined results of this work and previous literature 24,33 communication between healthcare services and autistic service users scheduled for MRI examinations is vital and it needs further improvements. This observation relates not only to the lack of information to the service users beforehand, but also lack of communication between healthcare services (e.g.…”

Section: Communication and Flow Of Information Between Healthcare Pra...mentioning

confidence: 89%

“…The survey questions built on previous work, which identified the reasonable adjustments required for autistic adults in health care 37 or when scanning autistic individuals with MRI 24 as well as the enablers and challenges of MRI scanning based on practitioners' perspectives. 33 We conducted a pilot survey with the help of autistic individuals (n=4), who provided detailed written and verbal feedback, that we included in the final survey.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The lack of appropriate staff training in autism further accentuates these challenges. 33 Despite the lack of sufficient information prior to MRI scanning, most of the respondents received adequate information during scanning (e.g. on how to use the MRI call button in case they felt unwell), in line with current MRI safety requirements prior to MRI scan.…”

Section: Communication and Coordination Between Healthcare Servicesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…57,58 In the present study most MRI radiographers did not adjust the MRI unit environment for autistic individuals, and we can attribute this either to lack of knowledge of the patient's needs, lack of training, lack of resources or lack of time during the busy clinical MRI slots. 33 These adjustments are, however, vital for a successful examination, given sensory processing sensitivities of autistic people, 59 atypical visual behaviour, auditory sensory processing sensitivities, and potential difficulties in processing simultaneous visual, auditory, and tactile inputs. 60 Based on this evidence, MRI departments should invest in staff training, patient preparation/communication, equipment e.g.…”

Section: Personalising the Autistic Patient's Mri Journeymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…24 It also included a UK-wide survey investigating current practice and knowledge of radiographers, highlighting knowledge gaps of healthcare practitioners due to insufficient training. 33 The aim of this work was i) to explore the MRI scan experiences of autistic adults in the UK, ii) to identify barriers and enablers towards a successful and safe MRI examination, iii) to assess autistic individuals' satisfaction with MRI service, and iv) to inform future recommendations for practice improvement.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Toward Autism-Friendly Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Exploring Autistic Individuals' Experiences of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scans in the United Kingdom, a Cross-Sectional Survey

Stogiannos

Brammer

McNulty

et al. 2023

Autism in Adulthood

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Background: Autistic individuals might undergo a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination for clinical concerns or research. Increased sensory stimulation, lack of appropriate environmental adjustments or lack of streamlined communication in the MRI suite may pose challenges to autistic patients and render MRI scans inaccessible. This study aimed to i) explore the MRI scan experiences of autistic adults in the UK, ii) identify barriers and enablers towards successful and safe MRI examinations, iii) assess autistic individuals' satisfaction with MRI service, and iv) inform future recommendations for practice improvement. Methods:We distributed an online survey to the autistic community on social media, using snowball sampling. Inclusion criteria were: being older than 16, have an autism diagnosis or self-diagnosis, self-reported capacity to consent and having had an MRI scan in the UK. We used descriptive statistics for demographics, inferential statistics for group comparisons/correlations, and content analysis for qualitative data. Results:We received 112 responses. A total of 29.6% of the respondents reported not being sent any information before the scan. Most participants (68%) confirmed that radiographers provided detailed information on the day of the examination but only 17.1% reported that radiographers offered some reasonable environmental adjustments. Only 23.2% of them confirmed they disclosed their autistic identity when booking MRI scanning. We found that quality of communication, physical environment, patient emotions, staff training and confounding societal factors impacted autistic people's experiences. Autistic individuals rated their overall MRI experience as neutral and reported high levels of claustrophobia (44.8%). Conclusion:The study highlighted a lack of effective communication and coordination of care, either between healthcare services or between patients and radiographers, and lack of reasonable adjustments as vital for more accessible and person-centred MRI scanning for autistic individuals. Enablers of successful scans included effective communication, adjusted MRI environment, scans tailored to individuals' needs/preferences, and well-trained staff.'' Request a private waiting room, if possible. Use any relaxation aids that they can provide. Make sure staff know of any autism-related factors you have, e.g. hyperacusis; it's LOUD in there''. Table 3. Key recommendations for practice. Challenge Implication Recommendations • Poor communication and lack of adequate information provided to service user by radiology prior to scanning. • Adjust communication style to the individual. 10,21 • Ensure communication and coordination of services between GPs/referring consultants and Radiology. 24 • Implement tailored pre-scan communication COMFORT

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Section: Communication and Flow Of Information Between Healthcare Pra...mentioning

confidence: 89%