Exploring patients' experience of viewing their own 3D medical imaging results during a clinical consultation.

Abstract

Background: Patients can struggle to comprehend and recall medical information, hindering their ability to participate in their own care. Research suggests that images may aid comprehension of medical information. Available for use in clinical practice, 3D medical images are relatively easy to interpret and could benefit lay people. However, little is known about patients’ experience of viewing them. Aim: The aim was to understand the role of a patient’s own 3D image in a clinical consultation. Four objectives were explored, to: (i) understand the impact for patients viewing their 3D image; (ii) understand how 3D images are incorporated into consultations; (iii) compare the experience of viewing 3D images, 2D images and no image alongside a diagnosis and (iv) understand whether informing participants of the occurrence of errors within image interpretation affects their trust in a diagnosis. Methods: A multi-method approach was adopted. Fourteen patients and four clinicians from a tertiary care orthopaedic outpatient clinic participated in semi-structured interviews and 10 clinical consultations were video-recorded. Additionally, 31 volunteers participated in focus groups and 252 volunteers participated in psychology laboratory experiments. Results: Patients considered their 3D images to be evidence, describing them to be truthful and authoritative. 3D images were used to explain diagnoses and treatments to patients during consultations. Participants showed better recall of the diagnosis when it was accompanied by 3D and 2D images compared to no image. Additionally, participants reported greater understanding and trust when the diagnosis was accompanied by 3D images compared to 2D images or no image. There was no significant difference in trust between participants who were informed of the potential for error within image interpretation and those who were not. Conclusion: Patients trust 3D images, perceiving them to provide authoritative knowledge. They may be a powerful resource for patients, increasing patient understanding, trust, and recall