I am a Magnetic Resonance Imaging technician (MRI Technician). My career involves using magnetic fields and radio waves to get images of tissues and systems of organs in order to search for or diagnose illnesses. My job entails preparing patients for MRIs, management of schedules, reporting and interpreting findings to doctors. I work in a hospital. In addition to the mentioned duties, I also move heavy equipment and assist patients to get into position for the procedure.
Like any other job, being an MRI technician comes with a myriad of challenges and ethical dilemmas. Most imaging departments are always busy. We live in a world where we are used to constant communication through personal calls, sending texts and internet. Therefore, it is important to avoid distractions at all cost. To avoid such distractions, I consider tea and lunch breaks as the opportune time to ethically engage in such communication.
In my professional life, I usually encounter dishonest patients. Many patients that come for MRI are claustrophobic (Ethical Issues - Magnetic Resonance Imaging, n.d.). That is to say, they cannot cope up with closed, confined or cramped places. As a technician, it is essential that I know if the patient is comfortable with the MRI machine. However, some patients would not admit that they are claustrophobic. This is until they get into the MRI machine and start showing fear that you realize it. This is not morally right. The best solution to this problem is usually to have a heart-to-heart chat with the patient to help him or her overcome the fears.
Another major ethical problem involves patients who carry metallic objects to the MRI room. Before embarking on the process, we always ensure that we advise the patients to get rid of any metallic materials they possess. When such objects are pulled from their pockets, they fly off to the machine and may cause damage to the machine. This is usually encountered with patients who have body piercings. Sometimes it becomes difficult to convince them to temporarily remove the metallic objects from their bodies. As a technician, it is my ethical responsibility to ensure that I use the machine effectively and avoid any damages. Therefore, it calls for patience in convincing such patients to do the appropriate thing.
Additionally, there always exists some harassment and discrimination from some doctors we encounter in our line of duty. It is the duty of each member of the health care team to have mutual respect for each other and, support each other in providing quality health care. Some doctors are difficult to work with. This is because of their attitude and the feeling that they are more superior professionally. Nevertheless, I pay less attention to such seniority complex battles and focus on my work.
As imaging technologists, what we do on a day-to-day basis can have a huge effect on patient outcomes. It is important that we undertake our duties in an ethically responsible manner for effective delivery of quality health care.
References
Ethical Issues - Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Scans. (n.d.). Magnetic Resonance Imaging MRI) Scans. Retrieved March 19, 2014, from http://mriscans.weebly.com/ethical- issues.html
