After more than two decades of operating the magnetic resonance imagine (MRI) test, Johnathan Hewis has witnessed many episodes of discomfort among his patients.

"I've done many thousands of MRIs. I've had many MRIs myself and I've had no problems at all, I just sort of fall asleep. [But] on a daily basis you'll see it, you do see people struggle daily," Mr Hewis said.

"Some need sedation or general anesthesia to get through it."

Through preliminary research and literature review so far, Mr Hewis has found that anywhere between 5 and 20 per cent of people experience some sort of distress while undertaking an MRI scan.

"It's hard to quantify because that refers to those who have had to stop the scan, and from the people I've spoken with, they've said they experienced a lot of traumatic experiences but they haven't said anything [at the time]," Mr Hewis said.

"They've just gotten through and gotten out of there using their own soothing techniques. Some people have been in there for 90 minutes, that shows how resilient and determined people can be, and how much hope they have for a diagnosis from their scan."

Having begun his research last March, Mr Hewis is hoping to be completing his thesis by the end of next year.

Already, he has interviewed nine people about their experiences in MRIs, but he is now seeking in particular men from the Riverina to join the study.

Other studies have focused heavily on the experience of metropolitan patients.

But Mr Hewis said he is hoping to widen the research to include a range of experiences.

"People often have to travel if they live regionally. Specialists are typically in the metro areas and so sometimes patients will have to travel long distances then will have to repeat MRIs," Mr Hewis said.

"A large amount have talked about that being an aspect. There are issues of unfamiliarity and anxiety around that that is unique to the regions."

Additionally, other studies have concluded issues relating to claustrophobia being the largest trigger of distress. But Mr Hewis said, "there can be a range of reasons, a mix of reasons for distress in this situation".

"One particular participant lost a child and that's why they had their first MRI, so when they went for follow-up scans it brought back those feelings of post-traumatic stress," Mr Hewis said.

"Some don't like small spaces and will have panic attacks and then will relive that experience as they have conversations about it. People say they feel like a failure if they were unable to complete the scan the first time."

Once complete, Mr Hewis is hoping his study will inform radiographers on better practices to put patients at ease during distressing situations.

To get involved with the research, Mr Hewis recommends checking the study information sheet via Charles Sturt's ThinkSpace website.

Mr Hewis can be contacted on (02) 6582 9346 or email jhewis@csu.edu.au.

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