Imaging Reports Understood

An MRI report tells your doctor a lot about your condition. But what does it tell you? Is having access to your imaging reports without an explanation in layman’s terms even helpful? 

Research shows a pattern emerging: patients who receive thorough and effective explanations along with their imaging reports are more likely to feel in control of their symptoms and may even be more likely to succeed with conservative approaches to rehabilitation (i.e. physical therapy versus surgery).

Looking at low back pain alone, several studies found that patients with lumbar disk herniation who received in-depth education sessions about their diagnosis demonstrated better attitudes, greater knowledge, and improved overall outcomes than patients who received only standard physician consult and/or rehab referral (1)(2)(3).

Another study compared patients with low back pain who received routine MRI imaging reports with a group whose results were accompanied by a consult with a medical professional who reassured them that their findings reflected normal changes. The control group showed significantly increased “negative perception of their spinal condition, increased catastrophization, decreased pain improvement, and poorer functional status (4).” Based on these striking results, a method of providing a ‘clinical report’ emphasizing functional and clinical significance rather than raw, routine imaging interpretation was developed. This reporting method showed significant benefits, including decreased perception of disease severity and a lower likelihood of choosing invasive intervention (4). 

Another contributing issue is whether imaging is even necessary in the first place. A systematic review evaluating 13 studies on subjects with low back pain revealed that, when there was no indication of emergent or serious underlying conditions, immediate imaging had no positive effect on patient outcomes (5). Essentially, imaging can be more of a hindrance than a help when rehabilitating ‘conventional’ low back pain.

A large 2023 systematic review with a qualitative component noted that the most common responses indicated that “participants were confused about the overall message the imaging report was trying to convey (6).” However, this review also identified several benefits of patient access to imaging reports, including their usefulness as a memory aid during conversations with medical providers and improved self-management with full access to electronic medical records (6).

All things considered, when it is truly necessary to obtain an MRI, having the resources to understand your results can have a significant positive effect on your approach to healing.
 

Takeaways

Multiple studies reveal that the way a patient’s imaging report is presented can have a significant downstream effect on treatment decisions and outcomes. Better understanding leads to better results, yet most imaging reports are still not designed with patient comprehension in mind.

Your PT can be an excellent resource—they can provide a thorough review of your imaging report and put it into context, giving you a clearer understanding of its implications for your day-to-day function. Don’t hesitate to ask; seeking clarification could have a meaningful impact on both your recovery and overall well-being!

By Joanna Binney