Patient attitudes towards radiographic examinations involving contrast media

Patient attitudes and responses to radiographic examinations with contrast media were measured by means of a self-administered questionnaire. Forty-seven per cent of patients reported being worried about its unpleasantness and 64% about its possible findings. Men expressed less anxiety about the unpleasantness than women and old people less about the findings than young people. Most patients, but especially those who were worried about the procedure, would have liked more information about why they were having the investigation; worried patients were also more likely to seek non-medical advice. There was, however, no difference between 'worried' and 'non-worried' patients in their understanding of the nature of the investigation.