Chocolate can help!

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It really can help us understand the importance of the reason why we believe something, and by that I mean what we think is true.

I was having a lovely evening with my children, when I asked my daughter, is there any chocolate in the kitchen? No she said, oh that’s a shame, I could just do with some, never mind that’s a shame. And I believed her, we spent the rest of the evening thinking, oh that would have been nice, but we don’t have any.

The following day when I was making breakfast, what did I find??? Yes you’ve guessed it, chocolate! My favourite too!!!

From this it is easy to see that when we ask a question to someone who doesn’t really know all the answers, (or explored the answers themselves) we can believe them!

It’s the same as someone saying the scanning experience is awful, when they haven’t even had a scan on that scanner!!

Sometimes you just have to try and find out for yourself. You know, most of the time our patients say just how different and tolerable the scan was, not what they were expecting at all!

Go on read some of the testimonials you’ll see what real patients have written about their experiences in the Centre!

P.S. How many of you thought I had the chocolate for breakfast???  OK so I’m very predictable!!

Janet

I work at the Croydon MRI Scan Centre. We use both conventional and 'open' MRI scanners and have developed an holistic approach to help very anxious patients to undergo their MRI Scans.

Millionaire Support

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This week I wanted to look at the importance and value of support.

When patients are referred for our open scanner, they have usually attempted a scan elsewhere and are fully conscious of the difficulties having scan can bring. Throughout life we have support networks to help us through the difficult parts of our lives, having a scan for some is no different!

Even on the television game show ‘Who Wants To Be A Millionaire’ they have a robust support network: phone a friend, ask the audience or 50/50; we should use these rules for scanning.

  • 50/50: well we’ve tried one 50 now here’s the alternative scanner, the open scanner,
  • ask the audience: in the centre staff know what the answers are, and desperately wanting to help you through your scan
  • phone a friend: well that’s the person you bring with you for the scan!

We should learn from ‘Who Wants To Be A Millionaire’ as with their rules, you will feel a million dollars when the scans has been completed, and you’ve done it with your support network!!

We’re all here to help, we know you can, go on give it a go!!!

Janet

I work at the Croydon MRI Scan Centre. We use both conventional and 'open' MRI scanners and have developed an holistic approach to help very anxious patients to undergo their MRI Scans.

Communication

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I would like to share with you one of the many benefits of communication. The other day as I was working with someone to solve an issue I was having. As they were the correct person to deal with the problem, they had the expertise to resolve the situation. We laughed and made mention to the quote:

‘It’s not what you know it’s who you know’

However we thought it should be carried on and needed adding to, so we added:

‘It’s not what you know, it’s who you know and it’s what they know and who they know that helps’

This extended quote shows that good communication does not have to be just between two people, in fact, the more you are able to communicate the easier issues are to resolve!

Rather like the blog and the testimonials helping others feel able to cope with preparing for a scan. Also for healthcare professionals working in different environments; developing from sharing knowledge and best practice.

Janet

I work at the Croydon MRI Scan Centre. We use both conventional and 'open' MRI scanners and have developed an holistic approach to help very anxious patients to undergo their MRI Scans.

Laughter

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I have always loved my job, and managing the MRI Scan Centre at Croydon has given me fantastic opportunities. I have been fortunate to work in some amazing centres, picking up good habits and learning about high quality management. I have had some very good teachers, am always enthusiastic about service delivery and always on the look out to be better and learn more.

The other day I was invited to a presentation that the Macmillan nurses/carers had arranged on laughter therapy. I am naturally a happy person, and like to think I am funny (I’m not sure how my colleagues would answer that one, but I know what I’d like them to say!) However unfortunately at the last minute I was unable to attend, so I asked for some feedback from my friend who did go, and did my own research. I know that when we smile we release endorphins, the feeling happy hormone, (and I do smile an awful lot), so the laughter must be even better for lifting your mood, changing your feelings to nice ones; this will help some of our claustrophobic patients no end. The problem is that everyone has a different sense of humour. I did think of having jokes in the Centre, but they are very subjective. Then I realised that when people are nervous they laugh; usually patients bring someone who makes them laugh along with them, friends and relatives are always good company! People laughing, can and do relieve anxieties, look at the funny side, if you laugh, that’s a great bonus!

Janet

I work at the Croydon MRI Scan Centre. We use both conventional and 'open' MRI scanners and have developed an holistic approach to help very anxious patients to undergo their MRI Scans.

Barriers

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I was watching a video the other day, it was a training film, it showed a pen, long and slim. They asked for you to describe it, and then the pen was turned around, so you were looking at the end, it now appeared to be a spot!

This is a great example of why it is really important to remember to get the right perspective/angle on things! Look at challenges/problems from a different angle, it may seem to be completely different, and more manageable too! What’s the saying for this one? There’s more than one way to peel an apple (I know it’s not to peel an apple; but I’m vegetarian and like rabbits so I prefer this one!)

Janet

I work at the Croydon MRI Scan Centre. We use both conventional and 'open' MRI scanners and have developed an holistic approach to help very anxious patients to undergo their MRI Scans.