Adolescents' prior knowledge about medical imaging and their degree of cooperation with imaging procedures

An important current model of patients' coping mechanisms assumes an interaction between coping style, the understanding of explanations about illness and its treatment, and the level of anxiety about that treatment. The model shows an inverse correlation between anxiety and cooperation. The study was designed to test this model in the context of medical imaging procedures on adolescent patients. RESEARCH DESIGN/ METHODS: A cohort of 120 adolescents, undergoing imaging for the first time, completed five brief questionnaires (on behavioral style, epistemic authority, actual & perceived knowledge, situational anxiety, personal data) while waiting to be called for MRI/ CT examinations. Cooperation was observed and rated independently by two observers. Multiple regression analysis and correlation tests were used to test key hypotheses.

The results showed a correlation between adolescents' coping styles, their use of information about their treatment within the context of their coping mechanisms and their degree of confidence and anxiety. Adolescents with a low anxiety level cooperated more fully.

The authors found an association between coping style, knowledge and anxiety. If patients' coping style can be ascertained and their mental preparation for imaging delivered accordingly, it may be possible to reduce anxiety levels and increase cooperation.