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Abstract

Background: The MRI environment is synonymous with claustrophobia,1 however, the causes of distress are diverse and multifactorial.2 Prior research examining distress in MRI have pre- dominantly focussed on claustrophobia,3 adopted quantitative approaches,4 or the practitioner perspective.2 There is a paucity of qualitative research5 exploring the patient perspective6 within an Australian context.7

Aim: To investigate the lived experience of adults who experienced distress during a clinical MRI examination by understanding the meaning (essence) of their distress (phenomenon).

Methods: This qualitative study adopted a constructivist-interpreti- vist paradigm8 and a hermeneutic phenomenology methodology.9 The population were adults from regional and rural New South Wales who had experienced ‘distress’ during a clinical MRI exami- nation. Lived experience data was collected through two stage semi-structured interviews. Human research ethics was granted.

Results: Eight participants were interviewed, which provided a deep and holistic insight into their lived experience of MRI. All par- ticipants described “being distressed in MRI” as an immediate and existential threat resulting in hypo-arousal leading to emotional and psychological distress. Each participant’s experience and mani- festation of distress was individual and unique. This oral presenta- tion explores the diverse and typically non-claustrophobic nature of ‘being distressed in MRI’.

Conclusions: Contemporaneous internal, external contributing and confounding factors contribute to an aggregated level of arousal or distress in MRI. These can be physical, emotional and psychologi- cal, and are not just a manifestation of claustrophobia. MRI practi- tioners need to be aware of the diverse nature of distress within this environment to be able to provide effective individualised per- son-centred care.
Original languageEnglish
Pages22
Number of pages1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 01 Apr 2024
EventASMIRT Conference 2024: Colours of Country - Darwin Convention Centre, Darwin, Australia
Duration: 09 May 202412 May 2024
https://conference.asmirt.org/2024/
https://conference.asmirt.org/2024/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ASMIRT-2024-Program_Days_FINAL.pdf (Program)
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/20513909/2024/71/S1 (Published abstracts)

Conference

ConferenceASMIRT Conference 2024
Abbreviated titleCommunity Resilience Innovation
Country/TerritoryAustralia
CityDarwin
Period09/05/2412/05/24
OtherAUSTRALASIA'S LEADING CONFERENCE FOR RADIOGRAPHERS, SONOGRAPHERS, RADIATION THERAPISTS, NUC MED TECHS AND THE WIDER MEDICAL RADIATION SCIENCES COMMUNITY
Join us this year in May for ASMIRT 2024 held at the world class Darwin Convention Center, located on spectacular Darwin Harbour, an iconic landmark in the tropical harbour of Larrakia land
Nothern Territory.
Internet address

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