Using an educational presentation to evaluate staffs' attitudes/perceptions regarding the use of mind/body interventions during serial MRIs for pediatric neuro-oncology patients

Abstract

Pediatric neuro-oncology patients require serial MRI scans for years after diagnosis and medical treatment to monitor disease status. Managing anxiety and distress associated with MRI procedures is essential to improving the quality of the patient's repeated experience in radiology and ensuring the quality of the scan. Mind/body interventions such as relaxation, guided imagery, and hypnosis can be useful tools to facilitate MRI procedures. In a large pediatric radiology department, the investigators used an educational presentation regarding mind/body interventions and pre- and postpresentation surveys to evaluate staffs' attitudes and perceptions and to identify potential obstacles regarding the use of such interventions. A total of 49 radiology staff attended the educational presentation and completed the pre- and postpresentation surveys. Primary system obstacles to the use of mind/body interventions in radiology were identified as well as discipline differences regarding basic knowledge of mind/body interventions. A wide range of staff's attitudes and perceptions about mind/body interventions was recorded. Most participants reported finding the presentation “informative” and believed it would have a positive impact on their clinical work. In addition, based upon the study results, the investigators have developed and are piloting a screening measure to be used by nursing staff to facilitate proactive identification of patients in need of such interventions for subsequent scans. The investigators intend this study to serve as a template for nursing staff at other sites to evaluate staff perceptions and the need for mind/body interventions within their own radiology department.