Understanding Medical Imaging and How to Advocate for Yourself: What Patients Should Know with Jason Newmark

Medical imaging plays a critical role in diagnosing injuries, detecting disease, and guiding treatment decisions. Yet many patients feel confused about what happens during imaging tests and who is actually involved in their care.

In this episode of Take Care, Melody Mulaik is joined by Jason Newmark, Executive Director of the Association for Medical Imaging Management (AHRA). Jason explains the different types of medical imaging, the professionals involved behind the scenes, and why patients sometimes face delays when scheduling exams like MRIs.

They also discuss the importance of safety in imaging, the difference between technologists and radiologists, and practical tips patients can use when trying to schedule an imaging appointment sooner.

Whether you're preparing for a scan or simply want to understand how medical imaging works, this conversation offers helpful insights into one of the most important areas of modern healthcare.

In this episode, Melody and Jason discuss:

• Medical imaging includes many types of scans, such as X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, ultrasounds, PET scans, and nuclear medicine studies.
• The person taking your scan is usually a technologist, while a radiologist is the physician who interprets the images.
• Some imaging exams use radiation (like X-rays and CT scans), while others, such as MRI and ultrasound, do not.
• Safety protocols are built into every imaging procedure to protect both patients and healthcare staff.
• Staffing shortages and the complexity of some exams, especially MRIs, can lead to longer wait times for appointments.
• Patients may sometimes find earlier appointments by asking about cancellations, different locations, or alternative scheduling times.

Resources:

• AHRA: The Association for Medical Imaging Management: https://www.ahra.org/home
• Connect with Jason Newmark on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-newmark-9846055/ 

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction to Medical Imaging
02:30 – What Medical Imaging Actually Means
03:30 – Types of Imaging Modalities
04:30 – Imaging Safety and Radiation
05:30 – Who Works in an Imaging Department
07:00 – Technologist vs Radiologist
08:00 – Why Imaging Appointments Can Take Time
10:00 – Career Opportunities in Medical Imaging
12:00 – Why MRIs Take Longer
13:00 – Tips for Getting an Imaging Appointment Sooner
16:00 – The Stress of Diagnostic Imaging
18:00 – Managing Access to Imaging Services
21:00 – The Importance of Patient Communication
22:00 – Human Connection in Healthcare