The Experience of Patients With Neoplasm Metastasis in the Spine During a Magnetic Resonance Imaging Examination

•Experience of an MRI scan by patients with neoplasm metastasis in the spine.•Most patients usually experience worry and anxiety.•Knowledge about how to alleviate the feelings of worry and anxiety during an MRI scan.

The aim of the study was to explore the experience of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination by patients with neoplasm metastasis in the spine. MRI is the most accurate method to diagnose and evaluate suspected metastatic disease in the spine. Patients may experience anxiety because of the fear of pain, fear of the unknown, and the apprehension about what the test might reveal. The study had a qualitative design, and the collected data were analyzed by means of latent content analysis. Twelve semistructured in-depth interviews were carried out starting with the question “Can you tell me about your experience of the MRI examination?” Four themes were identified: “motivation,” “worry and anxiety,” “insecurity,” and “security.” The patients were highly motivated to be examined by MRI, although most of them did experience some degree of worry or anxiety. The level of worry or anxiety was generated by the perception that an MRI examination was unpleasant, uncomfortable, or by the fear of what the result would show. All participants experienced some degree of insecurity, but in different ways, the insecurity of the patient could be reduced and the patients could experience a greater degree of security. The feelings of insecurity or security could be influenced by the radiographer, patients themselves, and MRI equipment. This study shows that most patients usually experience worry and anxiety. If the patients are motivated, they can manage to go through the examination in spite of the previously mentioned adverse feelings. Patients' feelings tend to fluctuate between a sense of insecurity and one of security.