Stogiannos N, Harvey-Lloyd J M, Nugent B, Brammer A, Carlier S, Cleaver K, McNulty J P, Sá Dos Reis C, Malamateniou C
City, University of London, Division of Midwifery & Radiography, London, UK; Corfu General Hospital, Medical Imaging Department, Corfu, Greece.
University of Suffolk, School of Health and Sports Sciences, Suffolk, UK.
Radiography (Lond). 2022 Feb;28(1):133-141. doi: 10.1016/j.radi.2021.09.003. Epub 2021 Sep 24.
Autistic individuals undergoing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations may face significant challenges, mainly due to sensory overload and MRI environment-related limitations. This study aimed to explore radiographers' perspectives and experiences regarding MRI scanning of autistic individuals.
Data collection was achieved using a specifically designed mixed methods questionnaire on Qualtrics. The snowball technique was used. This UK-wide survey was electronically distributed by three main recruitment agencies between December 2020 and February 2021.
130 valid responses were received. A lack of relevant training and knowledge related to autism was noted. Effective communication, optimisation and customisation of the MRI examination, and MRI environment adjustments facilitated the completion of a safe and effective MRI examination. Poor patient-radiographer communication, unavailability of Special Educational Needs (SEN) experts, lack of specialised radiographer training and lack of specific guidelines were identified as the main barriers to successful MRI examinations.
Although routine MRI safety and patient care rules will apply, MRI scanning of autistic individuals requires customisation and reasonable adjustments in communication, environment, and training of clinical teams. In addition, guidelines should be established to be used as a reference point to improve clinical practice. The adjustments proposed by radiographers were all consistent with the interventions in the wider literature.
MRI practice for personalised care of autistic individuals should be aligned with current evidence, to customise communication and offer workflow and environmental adjustments. Formal training related to autism, integrated within radiography academic curricula and better co-ordination and communication of interdisciplinary teams would provide the necessary skill mix to deliver safe, high quality MRI scans with optimal experience for autistic service users and their carer(s).
接受磁共振成像（MRI）检查的自闭症患者可能面临重大挑战，主要是由于感官过载以及与MRI环境相关的限制。本研究旨在探讨放射技师对自闭症患者进行MRI扫描的观点和经验。
使用专门设计的Qualtrics混合方法问卷进行数据收集。采用了滚雪球技术。这项全英国范围的调查在2020年12月至2021年2月期间由三个主要招募机构以电子方式分发。
共收到130份有效回复。注意到缺乏与自闭症相关的培训和知识。有效的沟通、MRI检查的优化和定制以及MRI环境调整有助于完成安全有效的MRI检查。患者与放射技师之间沟通不畅、特殊教育需求（SEN）专家无法提供服务、缺乏专业放射技师培训以及缺乏具体指南被确定为成功进行MRI检查的主要障碍。
尽管常规的MRI安全和患者护理规则适用，但对自闭症患者进行MRI扫描需要在沟通、环境和临床团队培训方面进行定制和合理调整。此外，应制定指南作为改进临床实践的参考点。放射技师提出的调整与更广泛文献中的干预措施一致。
针对自闭症患者的个性化护理的MRI实践应与当前证据保持一致，以定制沟通并提供工作流程和环境调整。将与自闭症相关的正式培训纳入放射学学术课程，并改善跨学科团队的协调与沟通，将提供必要的技能组合，为自闭症服务使用者及其照顾者提供安全、高质量的MRI扫描，并带来最佳体验。
