Why the Human Factor is Critical to Successful Medical Imaging, Part 1: Overlooking the Human Factor Renders Technology Useless

Advances in medical imaging technology have empowered caregivers to provide more accurate, less invasive treatment and drive better outcomes for patients, hospitals and clinics. However, those who develop, design and use medical imaging equipment sometimes overlook the human factor, which can render even the most innovative machines useless. This series examines why the human factor is critical to successful medical imaging, beginning with commonly overlooked challenges.

Improper Positioning Causes Imperfect Images

Medical imaging OEMs tend to focus on technology development. They engineer state-of-the-art solutions that allow caregivers to peer deep into the human body, granting the medical insights needed to deliver exceptional care.

For all the amazing work they do – and all the lives they’ve helped save – OEMs can overlook the significant impact patient positioning has on image quality. Their technology is remarkable, but caregivers struggle to position patients to take full advantage of that technology.

Consider the case of a Michigan clinic that purchased a revolutionary new breast coil for its MRI machine. The phased array coil could produce high resolution 4D images of the breast, axilla and chest wall, and the clinic would use it as a diagnostic and interventional planning tool to screen for cancer, perform biopsies, and develop personalized treatment plans for its patients.

Though the breast coil featured groundbreaking imaging technology, it was unable to accommodate patients who “bottomed out” on the device. Caregivers were unable to properly position many patients, leading to poor image quality.

Patient Discomfort Causes Image Artifacts and Poor Experiences

Patient discomfort likewise results in poor image quality. Uncomfortable patients move, creating artifacts that obscure tissues and make it difficult for caregivers to accurately diagnose disease and develop appropriate treatment plans.

Moreover, patients may be hesitant to undergo uncomfortable and painful procedures, especially those like MRIs that aren’t supposed to hurt. Fear and anxiety associated with pain and discomfort make an already stressful situation worse and could even delay care when patients put off imaging. That’s a grave concern considering that early detection is vital for surviving breast cancer, the second leading cause of cancer death in women.

In our MRI breast coil example, pain and discomfort made it impossible for patients to lay still for the 30 to 45 minutes required to capture high quality images:

• Pressure from rigid plastic housing caused sternum bruising and nauseating rib pain that lasted several hours after the test
• A too-firm, too-short face pad caused patients’ noses to hit the mirror and created uncomfortable pressure that left patients red-faced after the procedure
• The sternum pad rocked when patients were on it, making it difficult to remain stationary

Despite the breast coil’s state-of-the-art technology, caregivers couldn’t obtain accurate images and patients suffered poor experiences due to pain and discomfort.

Neglecting the Human Factor Wastes Investment & Risks Patient Health

The Michigan clinic had made a significant investment in technology to help its patients but couldn’t use it because caregivers were unable to position patients comfortably and properly. The clinic contacted the manufacturer, but the OEM struggled to find a solution – they were experts in imaging technology, but not patient interfacing solutions.

Thus, the clinic wasted an investment it could not recoup and risked its reputation: patients naturally avoid clinics that hurt them, and they’re likely to share their negative experiences with friends, family and colleagues. The clinic couldn’t market its new technology because it couldn’t use it, so the breast coil was relegated to collecting dust in a back room.

Finally, the lack of human-centric design jeopardized patient health. The technology was purchased so the clinic could deliver state-of-the-art care, detect breast cancer early, and help save lives – but the breast coil sat unused because it wasn’t designed for the human form.

Next Step

Advanced medical imaging technology offers no value if caregivers and patients can’t use it. OEMs and caregivers should consider the human factor when designing and introducing new technologies. Read Part 2 of this series to discover how human-centric design enables OEMs, caregivers and patients to take full advantage of technological advancements.