Interpersonal Communication – Part II: Patient Education

When a patient steps into the imaging suite, they bring with them more than a referral slip — they bring uncertainty. Some arrive silent, others anxious, still others brimming with questions. In those moments, your ability to educate becomes as essential as your ability to expose.

Patient education is not merely an obligation; it is an act of empowerment. It transforms patients from passive subjects into informed participants in their own care. As Instructor Erica Dellis emphasizes, communication is the “core of competent care” — and education is its most powerful form.

For the radiologic technologist, education isn’t a single conversation. It’s a continuum — one that begins with the first greeting, flows through the exam itself, and continues into the patient’s discharge or follow-up. It is how trust is earned, safety is ensured, and professionalism becomes visible.

Explaining the Current Procedure: The Power of Clarity

The first step in patient education is explanation. A patient who understands what will happen — and why — is calmer, more cooperative, and less likely to move or resist during imaging. Every effective explanation answers three core questions: purpose, process, and protection.

1. Purpose — Why this exam?

Begin by linking the exam to the patient’s health concern. Instead of saying, “We’re doing an AP chest,” say, “Your doctor ordered a chest X-ray to help see your lungs and heart.” This bridges medical intent with personal relevance. Patients feel seen not as a “case” but as a participant in diagnosis.

2. Process — What will happen?

Describe the exam from start to finish. Explain positioning, expected sensations, and time required. A clear overview prevents surprise — one of the greatest sources of patient anxiety.

“You’ll be standing for about 30 seconds while I take two pictures — one from the front and one from the side. You may hear a brief sound as the machine takes the image, but you won’t feel anything.”

This kind of narration provides orientation. It replaces mystery with sequence, allowing the patient to follow along with confidence.

3. Protection — How safe is it?

Radiation safety is a central concern for most patients. Here, knowledge and reassurance intersect. Always communicate truthfully about dose — never dismiss concerns with, “It’s nothing to worry about.” Instead, contextualize it.

“This exam uses a very small amount of radiation — about the same you’d get from a cross-country flight. We also use shielding and precise exposure settings to keep your dose as low as possible.”

By connecting technical facts with relatable comparisons, you educate and calm. Patients trust honesty; they fear minimization.

The Psychology of Explanation

Explaining procedures isn’t just about relaying facts — it’s about pacing information according to the patient’s emotional state. Some patients need detail to feel in control; others need brevity to avoid overwhelm. The skilled technologist reads the room, senses anxiety, and adjusts accordingly.

Your tone matters as much as your content. Speak slowly, with confidence and gentleness. Avoid jargon — use everyday language. Replace “radiograph” with “x-ray picture,” “contrast media” with “special dye,” “lateral projection” with “side view.”

When you simplify language, you’re not “talking down.” You’re translating medicine into meaning. That translation is where trust begins.

Before beginning the procedure, always ask:

“Do you have any questions about what we’re going to do?”

This simple invitation gives patients permission to voice fear and curiosity — both of which, if left unspoken, can lead to noncompliance or misunderstanding.

Educating Through Presence

Patient education doesn’t end with words; it lives in presence. Every motion — from adjusting a collimator to placing a lead apron — teaches the patient what professionalism looks like.

When patients see you double-check their ID band, verify their order, and confirm the exam site, they learn the value of precision. When they see you clean the equipment, they learn about infection control. When you explain positioning respectfully and maintain modesty, they learn what care truly feels like.

Education through presence is subtle but powerful. It reminds patients that safety and dignity are inseparable from science.

Pre- and Post-Examination Instructions: Extending Care Beyond the Exposure

Many students underestimate the importance of pre- and post-exam instructions — yet these moments define the patient’s full experience. The exam itself may last only minutes; understanding, however, begins and ends with instruction.

Pre-exam education is preventive. It prepares the patient physically and mentally to ensure accurate results.

• Dietary or medication restrictions: “You’ll need to avoid eating for eight hours before this exam so the stomach is empty for imaging.”

• Clothing or jewelry removal: “Please remove any metal items, such as necklaces or belts, since they can obscure the images.”

• Contrast preparation: “You’ll be drinking a liquid that helps outline your digestive system. It may taste chalky but is harmless.”

Always confirm understanding. Patients often nod even when confused. Ask them to repeat key instructions in their own words to ensure clarity.

Post-exam education is restorative. It helps patients know what to expect, prevents unnecessary worry, and supports recovery.

• After contrast studies: “Drink plenty of water for the next 24 hours to help flush the contrast from your system.”

• After fluoroscopy or interventional procedures: “You may feel mild soreness at the injection site — that’s normal. Call your doctor if you experience severe pain or swelling.”

When patients leave informed, they leave empowered. Education doesn’t end at the exit door; it continues in their confidence to care for themselves once they return home.

Responding to Patient Inquiries: Educating Without Overstepping

Every radiologic technologist will encounter moments when a patient asks questions that extend beyond the scope of the immediate exam. “Will this show if I have cancer?” “Is this better than a CT?” “How much radiation am I getting?”

These moments define not only your professionalism but your ethical boundaries. The goal is to inform without interpreting, educate without diagnosing, and reassure without speculating.

The patient’s question isn’t always about information; it’s often about emotion. Beneath their words lies the unspoken: Am I safe? Will I be okay? The skilled technologist learns to hear both layers.

Clarifying Your Role

The technologist’s responsibility is to provide factual, procedural education — not medical interpretation. You can explain what the exam does and how it works, but you must not tell patients what their results mean.

For example, if a patient asks, “Do you see anything wrong?”, respond with clarity and respect:

“I can’t interpret your images — that’s your radiologist’s role. But once they’ve reviewed your exam, your doctor will explain the results in detail.”

This response affirms boundaries while maintaining trust. It shows confidence in the medical process and reinforces the professionalism of the team.

Explaining Imaging Modalities: Making Medicine Understandable

Patients today are more informed than ever — and more overwhelmed. They hear terms like CT, MRI, PET, and ultrasound without understanding their differences. The technologist bridges this gap, translating technology into plain language.

X-Ray (Radiography)

“A standard X-ray uses a small amount of ionizing radiation to take pictures of bones and some soft tissues. It’s quick, painless, and uses the lowest radiation dose of all imaging methods that rely on X-rays.”

X-rays remain the foundation of diagnostic imaging. When patients ask about radiation safety, contextualize the dose with familiar comparisons — for example, a chest X-ray is roughly equivalent to the amount of natural background radiation received in a few days.

CT (Computed Tomography)

“A CT scan uses X-rays taken from many angles and a computer to create detailed cross-sectional images of the body. It shows more detail than a standard X-ray but involves a higher radiation dose.”

Here, clarity and reassurance matter most. Patients often hear “CT” and imagine danger. Remind them that modern CT scanners use advanced dose-reduction technology, and all exposures follow the ALARA principle — As Low As Reasonably Achievable.

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

“MRI uses magnets and radio waves, not radiation, to create detailed pictures of soft tissues like the brain, muscles, and joints.”

When explaining MRI, highlight comfort and safety — especially for patients with claustrophobia or metal implants. Always emphasize the absence of ionizing radiation, as this distinguishes MRI from X-ray and CT modalities.

Ultrasound (Sonography)

“Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to make images. There’s no radiation, and it’s often used for organs, vessels, and pregnancies.”

Reinforce that ultrasound is completely noninvasive and painless. It’s ideal for patients who need repeated imaging without radiation exposure.

Nuclear Medicine and PET

“These tests use small amounts of radioactive material that show how organs and tissues function, not just how they look.”

Patients often worry when they hear “radioactive.” Reassure them that the amounts used are very small, decay quickly, and are carefully regulated for safety.

In each explanation, simplicity and calm authority are key. Avoid oversharing technical jargon — focus instead on what the patient needs to know to feel informed and safe.

Answering Radiation Dose Questions with Honesty and Context

Radiation is one of the most common patient concerns — and one of the most misunderstood. As a radiologic technologist, your words can either fuel fear or foster trust.

When discussing radiation, emphasize three key principles:

1. Purpose: Radiation is used only when the medical benefit outweighs the risk.

2. Protection: Every exam follows strict safety guidelines, using shielding, precise exposure settings, and ALARA principles.

3. Perspective: Everyday life exposes us to natural background radiation — from the sun, soil, and even the air we breathe. Diagnostic imaging adds a very small, controlled amount to this baseline.

A useful approach is the “comparison method.” For instance:

“A chest X-ray gives you about the same amount of radiation as spending a few days outdoors. A CT scan gives you more, but it allows doctors to see inside the body in much greater detail — which can be lifesaving.”

Context transforms fear into understanding. Never downplay risk, but place it in perspective. Honesty earns trust.

Preparation and Discharge Instructions: The Continuum of Care

Patient education extends beyond the walls of the imaging room. It includes preparing patients beforehand and guiding them afterward. These bookends ensure both the success of the procedure and the safety of the patient.

Before the exam, clarity prevents complications:

• “Please don’t eat or drink anything for six hours before your CT scan — this helps get the clearest images.”

• “You’ll need to remove metal jewelry so it doesn’t interfere with the image.”

• “You may feel a warm sensation when the contrast dye is injected — that’s normal.”

After the exam, clear guidance prevents anxiety and promotes recovery:

• “Drink extra water today to help flush the contrast from your body.”

• “If you develop itching, rash, or shortness of breath, call your doctor right away.”

• “Your results will go to your physician, who will discuss them with you.”

In both preparation and follow-up, communication transforms instruction into care. Patients remember reassurance more than procedure.

Empathy in Education: Teaching with the Heart, Not Just the Head

Great patient educators understand this truth: information alone doesn’t create understanding — connection does. You can deliver the most accurate explanation in the world, but if the patient feels dismissed, frightened, or unheard, the message is lost.

Empathy is what translates data into reassurance. It’s the bridge between your knowledge and their fear. When you explain a procedure, pause to read their face. Do their eyes show confusion? Are they withdrawing, or leaning in? Patients rarely ask for clarification outright — they reveal misunderstanding through silence, hesitation, or body language.

A skilled technologist adjusts in real time. You might slow your speech, repeat instructions, or simplify your language without ever making the patient feel small. For example:

“Let me go over that one more time — I want to be sure it’s completely clear.”

This phrasing shares responsibility for understanding. It says, We’re in this together.

Empathy doesn’t require grand gestures. It’s present in tone, patience, and presence. It’s the steady voice that says, “You’re safe,” even before the words are spoken.

The Power of Tone, Timing, and Body Language

Every element of communication — voice, expression, gesture — becomes magnified in patient education. Anxiety makes patients hyperaware; they notice your tone before they process your words.

Speak calmly, without rushing. The speed of your voice can either amplify or alleviate tension. The best educators sound grounded — confident, but never mechanical. Avoid monotone delivery, which can make instructions feel cold. A warm tone projects care and competence.

Timing also matters. Avoid explaining procedures when the patient is visibly distressed or distracted. Begin with a moment of rapport — perhaps a brief check-in:

“How are you feeling today? Have you had this type of exam before?”

These simple questions give you emotional context. A patient who’s already experienced the procedure may only need a summary, while a first-timer may need reassurance at every step.

Body language reinforces or contradicts what you say. Eye contact, posture, and open gestures signal attention and confidence. Avoid crossing arms, rushing movements, or multitasking while explaining. Every patient deserves your full presence — even for routine exams.

Remember: in radiography, your presence often becomes the most comforting form of education.

The Ethical Core of Patient Education

Patient education is not optional — it’s ethical. The ARRT® Standards of Ethics require technologists to “act in the best interest of the patient” and to respect their autonomy and right to informed participation. Failing to explain a procedure adequately is more than a communication lapse; it’s a breach of professional duty.

Informed consent depends on understanding. A patient who doesn’t fully comprehend the exam, its risks, or its purpose cannot give true consent. That’s why explanation and verification are moral imperatives, not mere courtesies.

Educating patients also honors their dignity. When you take time to explain what you’re doing, you remind them that they are partners in care, not passive objects of technology. You turn a cold process into a human encounter.

From Education to Empowerment

The most effective patient education doesn’t stop at explanation — it inspires confidence. It empowers patients to take an active role in their health journey.

After a clear and compassionate explanation, patients often begin to relax. They follow instructions more accurately, leading to better positioning, reduced motion, and fewer repeat exposures. Cooperation improves because understanding replaces fear.

This is where education directly shapes image quality — not through exposure settings, but through psychology. When patients feel safe and informed, they trust you. When they trust you, they listen. When they listen, they hold still. That’s how communication becomes image excellence.

Education also empowers you, the technologist. Every time you teach, you refine your own understanding. Every question a patient asks reminds you why you must keep learning. The pursuit of mastery is mutual: as you guide patients toward clarity, they guide you toward precision.

Preparing for the ARRT® Exam — and for Life Beyond It

For students preparing for the ARRT® registry exam, patient education questions are more than test items — they’re reflections of real-life professionalism. The exam isn’t simply asking, “What do you say to a patient?” It’s asking, “How do you embody respect, accuracy, and care?”

When you study these principles, don’t memorize them mechanically. Practice them daily in clinical rotations. Explain each exam as though the patient were your teacher — because in truth, they are. Every interaction trains your instincts to be precise yet compassionate, knowledgeable yet humble.

Remember that communication, like positioning, is both art and repetition. The more you do it, the more naturally it flows. And when it flows naturally, patients sense your confidence and calm.

Closing Reflection: The Radiographer as Educator

Every day in the imaging suite, you are both a technologist and a teacher. You teach by explaining procedures, by modeling safety, and by embodying the ethics of care. You teach not through lectures, but through how you listen, respond, and reassure.

Your knowledge may begin in physics and anatomy, but your greatness begins in communication. Patient education is where your science meets your humanity — where precision meets compassion.

The true mark of excellence isn’t just the perfect image on the screen, but the peace in your patient’s eyes when they say, “Thank you — that wasn’t as scary as I thought.”

That is the quiet triumph of the radiologic technologist who has mastered the art of communication — not as a skill, but as a calling.