Improving patient cooperation.

Patient anxiety and poor cooperation are more apt to be socio-psychological in origin rather than mental or physical. Therefore, it is important that the technology curriculum provide sufficient emphasis on behavioral psychology, motivation and control techniques, and communication skills. Studies show that if the patient and his family are adequately informed of what to expect when they go to the radiology department, through interviews, videotapes, etc., their anxieties decrease. Use of anxiety-reducing techniques can decrease uncooperative behavior, examination time, and misunderstandings that cause a poor professional image.