Talking to Your Doctor about Diagnostic Imaging
 

Diagnostic imaging exams are very important. They can often yield the best information about what is happening in your body and can help your doctor decide what to do next. However, because these exams are so technologically advanced, they are very expensive, which can mean large out-of-pocket expenses for you. In addition, many of these exams involve radiation, which can cause cancer. It is important that you work with your doctor to ensure the exam he orders is the best exam for you. 

Ask Questions 

By asking your doctor the following questions, you may be able to arrive at a better plan of action—one that will save you time and money and mean less risk. 

• Is this exam the only way to find out if something is wrong? Sometimes, other exams can provide enough information to make a diagnosis. Ask if a different type of exam is available for your specific case.

• Will the information from the imaging exam change what you do next? Talk with your doctor about the entire plan for treatment. If his plan of action does not depend upon the results of the exam, it is probably not worth having.

• How much risk is involved in the study? Different types of diagnostic imaging use different amounts of radiation. Therefore, risk levels vary from exam to exam. If the risk is high in a prescribed exam, ask your doctor if he can get the same information from a type of exam that has a lower risk.

• Does the test use radiation? If so, find out if the settings of the machine taking the test can be changed to reduce the amount of radiation used, while still providing your doctor with the information he needs.

• Will a radiologist be involved in my exam? The only way to get the best results from your imaging exam is to be sure a radiologist will be involved in giving and interpreting the results of your imaging exam. Radiologists are highly trained specialists who know exactly how to perform an exam and how to interpret the results.

Talk with your doctor about the decisions he is making for your care. You both have the same goal—to be sure you receive the best care possible. It’s your body—be sure you understand what’s happening!