A radiologic technologist has opened up about one of the most difficult aspects of his job: getting bad news and having to keep it from the patient.
In 2023, an analysis of health-care practitioners’ experiences published in the journal Patient Education and Counseling laid bare some of the issues those in the medical profession face when breaking bad news.
Telling patients about bad things was consistently shown to provoke significant distress among practitioners, many of whom were left feeling isolated. Many of the issues that arose were found to be rarely discussed, thus sustaining a false culture of invulnerability among professionals.
The analysis concluded that staff would benefit from more time to process the delivery of bad news in a space that encourages collective care.
But while it’s one thing to have to be the bearer of bad news, it’s more complex still to be the one who has to bear the weight of discovering bad news without ever being able to disclose it. That’s the situation Diego Diaz, a radiologic technologist specializing in MRIs and X-rays in New York City has found himself in before when a scan has picked up a problem that’s immediately clear to see.
Diaz is keen to stress he is no doctor. “When it comes to seeing something concerning on a scan, our role as MRI technologists is to capture the best possible images for the radiologist, who is the doctor trained to interpret them,” he told Newsweek. “We aren’t allowed to diagnose or discuss findings with patients—that’s the radiologist’s job.”
However, he acknowledges that there are times when he gets the sense “something doesn’t look right,” but he has to put it to the back of his mind. “I focus on staying professional and ensuring the images are clear and complete so the radiologist has everything they need to make an accurate diagnosis.”
That’s not always easy to do, though. “Keeping a lid on it can be tough, especially if a patient is anxious or asks directly, but I remind myself that my priority is their care and not causing unnecessary stress,” Diaz said.
Ultimately he reminds himself that his role is about helping patients get “the answers they need,” even if they aren’t always the ones they wanted.
These parts of the job are partly why Diaz started sharing his experiences to TikTok with videos posted under the handle onedayyoumay.
“I wanted to inspire others to consider a career in the medical field,” Diaz said. He set out with the aim of offering a “realistic yet motivational” look at his profession. “I showcase the exciting and innovative aspects of radiology while also highlighting some of the challenges that people might not expect,” he said.
One of his most recent videos saw him touch on this difficult aspect of his job and the challenge of seeing someone leaving you “with a smile” after a scan not knowing that the results may have “just changed their life forever.”
Diaz doesn’t involve real patients in his videos. Some of the videos are skits, and he makes it clear no patients are ever harmed or neglected.
“People often find the world of medical imaging fascinating, but don’t always understand the science or safety behind it,” he said. Some of that education includes understanding the realities of the role in circumstances like this.
It’s clearly had an impact with the video amassing over 4 million viewers. Some opened up about their own experiences. “Pretty sure my tech knew my massive tumor was cancerous, but he was so positive and made me laugh the whole visit. I will never forget him. I’m 1 year cancer free,” one viewer commented.
“Mine said, ‘IF this is cancer, it will be a bump in the road & you will get through it.’ Got the call the next day but was early and it indeed was a bump in the road & I am 7 years past it,” a second said.
A third added: “I think health care providers should get free therapy. No one knows how much they secretly hurt, after my husband passed a nurse broke down in our room I told her thank you for showing me someone cared.”
Alongside educating and informing, Diaz hopes people “feel more empowered about their own health.” He said: “I want to inspire others to ask questions and see the human side of health-care professionals. It’s about making the unknown feel familiar.”
The post Radiology Tech Shares How He Handles Knowing Bad News Before the Patient appeared first on Newsweek.
