Promote the MRT profession

In a 2013 Harris Decima poll commissioned by the CAMRT, nearly one third of the national sample of Canadians surveyed indicated that they had received a medical imaging procedure or radiation therapy to treat cancer or another disease in the past six months. By the same token, polls also indicate that patients in medical imaging and radiation therapy are satisfied with the care given to them by MRTs.

However, there is a disconnect for the MRT profession: only a small percentage of Canadians could correctly identify MRT as the name of the healthcare provider group that performed the service. This research indicates that most Canadians mistakenly assume that MRTs are nurses, doctors or lab technicians. They don’t understand who delivers these services or the role of the MRT within the healthcare system.

Engaging people through the Image of Care campaign has shown that education and promotion of the profession works. With the high-level of visibility and patient contact during MRT Week, it presents a perfect opportunity to discuss the profession with patients.

Become a brand champion

Use the promotional tools provided by CAMRT to start a conversation; and educate them about the essential link MRTs provide in delivering technology to them with care:

Offer them an MRT Week fact sheet and explain who MRTs are, what they do, and the different areas MRTs work in
Use the MRT Week visual displays (posters, tent cards) as a visual aid in your discussion
If your workplace has a visual display, play CAMRT’s NOD video in your waiting room throughout the week. It also explains some of the basics of each discipline, and in a very engaging way. You can use this as a conversation starter – ask patients if they have any questions about the information provided
Run a fun MRT-themed activity (e.g., trivia game/ quiz, scavenger hunt, etc.)
Refer people to any local public promotion regarding MRT Week, such as newspaper articles, other media coverage, government proclamations, etc.
Use the Image of Care website to help answer patient questions. Along with descriptions of each discipline, it also contains handy sections on patients questions and FAQs about the profession
Remember the Image of Care brand promise: We provide an essential link between patients and their healthcare, mastering the technology and art of providing accurate state-of-the-art diagnostic images and radiation-related treatment. We perform our work with confidence, expertise, precision and professionalism. And because we are there with patients at an often-emotional time, we listen and advocate for them in addition to delivering technological expertise. We are the human connection between innovative technology and effective diagnosis and radiation-related treatment.

A simple “Did you know…?” can start a conversation – don’t be shy! And, remember to offer thanks for their attention and interest.

Success in brand championship

“We spent hours pulling very old films, choosing different body areas for a display which changed every day. We set up portable viewboxes with labelled films and a “Question of the Day”. We were fortunate to have neighbourhood vendors donate gift certificates which we used as 1st prizes and then used the MRT week pens and mini-white boards as runner-up prizes when we drew names from the correct answers. The display was tremendously popular with staff and patients.”