Staff report
Earlier this year, GE HealthCare reported on “How Consumerism is Transforming MRI Departments.”
“In today’s healthcare landscape, patients are no longer passive recipients of care,” the report stated. “They’re taking an active role, searching for convenience and a comfortable experience. This trend, known as healthcare consumerism, is reshaping the priorities of MRI departments to focus more on improving the patient experience.”
The article reported how patients are changing the game for MRI departments, and how upgrading existing MRI can help a facility address patients’ demands and remain competitive.
Think about how you choose a restaurant or a hotel. You look for convenience, quality service, and a good value. Patients are now applying those same standards to healthcare. They want faster and more convenient scheduling, shorter scan times and an overall more comfortable experience.
An Accenture survey found that 50% of patients would switch providers for better service, and 70% prefer online scheduling. This shift is forcing MRI departments to adapt and prioritize the patient experience. In 2023, the top priority for MRI departments was to improve patient satisfaction with their MRI experience, according to a IMV 2023 MR Market Outlook Report.
Patients want quick appointments and fast results. A Deloitte study revealed that over 60% of patients are frustrated with healthcare wait times. Some MRI departments are responding by offering online scheduling and by investing in advanced systems that allow facilities to see more patients per day, accommodating for the growing demand and reducing scheduling delays.
Consumers expect efficiency, and MRI departments are responding by adopting advanced imaging techniques and AI-powered systems to help reduce scan times and improve image quality. This means that patients spend less time in the scanner and can help improve the time it takes to get results.
Many patients find MRI scans uncomfortable, even anxiety-inducing. The reported incidence of premature termination or failure of MRI examinations can be as high as 14.5%, and the reported incidence of anxiety related reactions during MRI reaches 37%, according to studies.
To improve comfort, MRI departments are upgrading to machines with wider bores, investing in noise reduction features, and using lighter, more comfortable coil technology. These improvements can significantly enhance patient satisfaction as well as attract more patients.
Precedence Research reports that The global diagnostic imaging market size was estimated at $47.81 billion in 2024 and is anticipated to reach around $76.69 billion by 2034, expanding at a CAGR of 4.84% from 2025 to 2034. The rising awareness of early disease detection is expected to boost the market growth.
Recent developments featured in the report include:
In November 2024, Detection Technology, a pioneer in X-ray detector solutions, unveiled a comprehensive portfolio of flat-panel X-ray detectors at the RSNA 2024 exhibition to advance medical imaging. This unique medical flat panel lineup includes 20 solutions that combine high frame rates with exceptional image quality at low doses and a wide dynamic range. The newly enhanced portfolio is optimized for a range of medical applications, including image-guided surgery, wireless radiography, fluoroscopy, oncology and dental imaging.
In October 2024, Clemson University collaborated with Prisma Health and unveiled a new 3T functional magnetic imaging (fMRI) machine at Prisma Health Oconee Memorial Hospital. This next-generation, non-invasive scanning technology provides faster, higher-quality medical imaging than previously available on the community hospital campus.
In September 2024, Olympus Corporation announced the launch of VISERA S, an all-in-one imaging platform with stroboscopy. The new video platform integrates advanced diagnostic capabilities, including Narrow Band Imaging (NBI) technology. It is designed to improve ENT diagnostic efficiency and patient experience.
