Dear All,

I just wanted to pass on some advice with regard to accessing the MRI corridor, when you are about to scan participants. I am communicating this information because over recent days, quite consistently, investigators together with their participants have been milling around in the MRI corridor in advance of their booked slot. I know that this reflects enthusiasm and an effort on the investigators part to be well prepared for their scan session and make good use of time. However, the presence of people in the MRI corridor also runs the risk of disquieting patients who have been scanned for health reasons. I want to try and strike a balance between optimising the use of the scanner and maximising privacy for patients and research participants, who change clothes in the cubicles on the MRI corridor.

Here’s the plan then:

(1) A maximum of two investigators, but preferably just one investigator, may accompany the research participant into the MRI corridor. (2) The investigator(s) can stay in the corridor only for the time it takes to explain the procedure for changing into scrubs to the participant. (3) The investigator(s) must then enter the interview room and wait for the participant to join them. (4) The MRI operator with then come to the interview room to invite the investigator(s) and participant through to the scanner suite. It is very likely that a patient will be changing back into their clothes at this time, so please keep conversation professional and to a minimum. (5) If other investigators wish to join the scan session, they may do so only at the discretion of the MRI operator, who will be able to determine whether patients privacy will be compromised by the presence of addition people and will be able to advise when investigators should leave to ensure privacy is maintained.

If you find that the interview room has already been reserved, participants may change into scrubs, but must return to and wait in reception with the investigators until they are invited through to the scanner suite by the MRI operator.

If investigators are found not to be conforming to this procedure, one of their scan sessions will be used as a training session on how to prepare participants for scanning.

Thanks for your help with this.

Tony