Getting Rid of Patient’s Misconceptions About the Radiology Department Using Animated Video in the Waiting Room

OBJECTIVES: Patients often confuse the role of the radiologist with that of the technician. The aim of this study is to explore patients’ current perceptions about the radiology department and to evaluate how it’s possible to get rid of misconceptions using informative animated video in the waiting room. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this multi-centric study (UZ Leuven, ZNA Middelheim), 278 patients of all ages and education levels were surveyed in the radiology waiting room. 107 patients filled out the survey after watching an informative animated video (www.makeradiologyvisible.com). The remaining patients did not watch the video. RESULTS: Half of the patients (86/171) in the non-video group believe the radiologist “performs the scanning”, compared to 19% (20/107) in the video group (p < 0.001). Patients who think their own physician will interpret the images is 36% (61/171) in the non-video group and 10% (11/107) in the video group (p < 0.001). In the non-video group, 32% (55/171) believe the technician performs the exam compared to 59% (63/107) in the video group (p < 0.001). After the video, 67% (72/107) of patients have more respect for the work of the radiologist, 52% (56/107) experience less anxiety and 65% (70/107) think the video is of added value to their visit. All items showed a better impact in high-educational subgroups. CONCLUSION: Animated informative videos help to increase patient knowledge about the radiology department. It moderates expectations, reduces anxiety, and ameliorates the overall experience. Although, the learning curve is steeper in highly educated patients, all educational levels benefit.