Reducing Scanxiety
"Scanxiety" is a term for a longstanding challenge patients face when interacting with imaging care. How are patients and radiologists working together to alleviate stress and improve care?
Main Content
Scanxiety
Explore resources pertaining to patient anxiety related to medical imaging.
"Scanxiety" is a term for a longstanding challenge patients face when interacting with imaging care. It has since become a common term, especially on social media. The term started with cancer patients and is now more widely used by anyone with a condition that requires regular exams. Scanxiety is often used when discussing the stress and worry that accompanies a radiology appointment.
ACR Scanxiety Toolkit
This is a toolkit to assist medical imaging providers in helping patients manage scanxiety.
Scanxiety Related Animations
Scanxiety - Imaging Exam Anxiety
Patients often get nervous about their medical imaging exams. This animation explains scanxiety and ways to manage it.
Ansiedad por los Estudios por Imágenes (Imaging Anxiety - Scanxiety)
Este video amigable para el paciente fue creado por radiólogos expertos del Colegio Americano de Radiología (ACR). El video fue creado para ayudar a los pacientes a participar en la toma de decisiones compartidas con sus médicos y discutir la ansiedad por imágenes.
Imaging Anxiety (Scanxiety): Healthcare Professional Information Series
This video was created to help healthcare professionals discuss scanxiety with their patients. As a healthcare professional, providing truly patient-centered care is more than just listening to patients. It requires providing the resources and opportunities for patients to actively partner with you and participate in their care.
Bulletin Scanxiety Content
An Introduction to Imaging Anxiety ("Scanxiety")
Patients often feel a mix of nerves and anxiety around imaging scans. These feelings are so common, they have a name: scanxiety. Put simply, Amanda Crowell Itliong describes scanxiety as the combination of “scan” and “anxiety,” which is now coming to the forefront of the conversation about radiology and the patient experience.
Listen to the podcast to hear the full conversation.
Patient-friendly Animated Videos with Nina S. Vincoff, MD
Nina S. Vincoff, MD, describes the ACR series of patient-friendly animated videos and their value to referring providers and patients. These patient-friendly videos were created by radiologist experts. The first two videos in the series, which we discuss during this episode, were created to help patients participate in shared decision-making with their physicians about breast cancer screening.
Bulletin Articles on Scanxiety
Medical Student Perspectives: Seeing Radiology Through the Patient Lens
By practicing radiology using the patientâs perspective as a guide, medical students can foster a more compassionate and patient-centered approach to this specialty.
Pilot Program Gives Patients a Look Inside Their Lungs
By providing lung cancer screening consultations, radiologists help patients with smoking cessation and showcase their expertise as part of a healthcare team.
JACR Articles on Scanxiety
- Raised Anxiety Levels Among Outpatients Preparing to Undergo a Medical Imaging Procedure: Prevalence and Correlates
- Trajectories and Predictors of Raised State Anxiety Among Outpatients Who Have Undergone Medical Imaging Procedures
- Patient Anxiety Before and Immediately After Imaging-Guided Breast Biopsy Procedures: Impact of Radiologist-Patient Communication
- Imaging-Guided Core-Needle Breast Biopsy: Impact of Meditation and Music Interventions on Patient Anxiety, Pain, and Fatigue
- Now or Later? Patient Satisfaction and Anxiety Among Women Undergoing Breast Biopsies Performed the Same Day as Recommended Versus a Later Day
- Dense Breast Tissue Notification: Impact on Womenâs Perceived Risk, Anxiety, and Intentions for Future Breast Cancer Screening
- Direct Interactive Public Education by Breast Radiologists About Screening Mammography: Impact on Anxiety and Empowerment
- A Randomized Controlled Trial of Brief Mindfulness Meditation for Women Undergoing Stereotactic Breast Biopsy
- MRI as a Stressor: The Psychological and Physiological Response of Patients to MRI, Influencing Factors, and Consequences
- Waiting for Radiology Test Results: Patient Expectations and Emotional Disutility
Other Resources
RadiologyInfo.org Scanxiety Information
This article provides information about scanxiety, when it typically happens, and ways to best prevent or cope with it.
Speak Up Graphic for Medical Imaging
A graphic from the Joint Commission helps patients understand the most common imaging tests, what to expect, and what questions to ask.
- Access printable version – English
- Access printable version – Spanish
Share Your Content Suggestion
Have a case study, podcast or article suggestion you would like us to cover?