Obtaining an MRI referral
All MRI scans require a valid referral from a primary healthcare practitioner. A primary healthcare practitioner can be your GP, physiotherapist, chiropractor, dentist, osteopath, podiatrist or a specialist such as a Rheumatologist, Neurologist or Orthopedic specialist etc.
It is crucial to keep in mind that for bulk billing purposes, there is a myriad of criteria to be fulfilled to be eligible. The requirements range from specific clinical indications (symptoms) to the qualification and specialist area of your referring healthcare practitioner.
Booking your scan
With a valid referral, you can choose your MRI provider centre. Many referrals direct you to a specific provider; however, you are legally free to go where you feel comfortable.
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After your booking with us, you will receive a confirmation email with all the information you need for your appointment.
At your appointment
On the day of your appointment, please arrive 15 minutes before your appointment time. This allows time to ensure your details are up to date and to fill out any additional paperwork required.
When arriving at the clinic, the reception staff will confirm your appointment and help you with any initial queries.
At your appointment, a radiographer trained in MRI techniques will greet you and go through the process with you. You will get changed into a gown ensuring no metal attached to your clothing is accidentally being carried into the scanning room.
Your radiographer will address any queries you might have and will be monitoring you through your scan.
Radiographers, radiologists and your scan results
Radiographers work closely with the reporting radiologists (doctors specialising in reading MRI images), and the radiologist has assessed your referral before your appointment time.
The radiologist has then decided on the best scan technique for you and relayed that to the radiographer working in the MRI room.
The best scan technique is based on your referral to best answer what your referring doctor is asking.
An MRI scan can be a long one.
Most MRI scans take between 20 to 60 minutes, depending on the area(s) examined and if you will need contrast (dye). Most scans require you to lay on your back, but some scans, such as MRI Breast [link to Breast MRI] are done with the patient face down (prone).
If you have trouble laying on your back, please let the radiographer know, and they will help you get comfortable.
Your radiographer will be monitoring you closely through your scan, ensuring you’re comfortable and checking in with you between scanning sequences.
Your scan data is sent for reporting.
During the scan, detailed three-dimensional images are created of the area scanned. It can sometimes mean hundreds or thousands of images to be reported on.
The images are sent to a specially trained radiologist who thoroughly reviews the study. The results then get delivered to your referring doctor.
Please allow 48 hours for the reports to get to your doctor’s office. The report is delivered to your doctor digitally, and you don’t have to take anything with you.
The MRI clinics are unable to release results directly to you. However, you can obtain a copy of them from your referring doctor.
Doctors read films on their computers.
Most referring doctors have access to the images digitally in their offices and rarely require you to bring films with you.
If you are unsure or would like a copy of the study, please contact your doctor’s office or your MRI clinic.
Receiving your results and discussing findings
Please allow 48 hours for the reports to get to your doctor’s office before making an appointment to discuss your results.
Your referring doctor can contact the MRI provider centre for an urgent report should this be required.