How would you explain a CT scan to a patient?

"I find that patients are at ease when I have fun with them in explaining the unique tools that I get to work with on a daily basis. Young and old alike are in awe of the advanced equipment, so I start talking about the CT scanner and explain what it does. After they understand the purpose of the machine, I translate that into the results that it can help find. I tell a story of a former patient that had a blood clot found in their leg that could have been life threatening if it hadn't been found by the use of the machine and that today, they are my colleague at work."

Speaking to patients in language they can understand is one of the challenges of working in the medical field. So what exactly is a computerized axial tomography scan? A CT scan, or CAT scan, is able to take a series of images from different angles in order to show a cross-section of a particular area of the body. When talking to patient, you can explain how this process will aid in diagnosing their problem. If it's a broken bone, you can explain how they will be able to see if there are other areas that were broken that didn't show up in the X-Ray. It will be helpful to show the doctor if surgery is required or if there are any other issues that need to be addressed.

"I have found that most patients like to understand what is happening to them if they are having a CT scan. In layman's terms, I explain that the CT scan is a more advanced x-ray image that gives more of a 3D image of the area in question. Then, I explain what myself and the physician are able to decipher once the results are complete. This helps put patients at ease prior to entering the scan."