A radiologic technologist has opened up about one of the most difficult aspects of his job: getting bad news and having to keep it from the patient. In 2023, an analysis of health-care practitioners’ experiences published in the journal Patient Education and Counseling laid bare some of the issues those in the medical profession face when breaking bad news.
Clearly, telling patients about concerning findings provokes significant distress among practitioners, many of whom reported feelings of isolation. Many of these issues are rarely discussed, thereby maintaining a false culture of invulnerability among professionals. The analysis concluded that staff would benefit from more opportunities to process the delivery of bad news in a supportive environment.
While being the bearer of bad news is challenging, even more complex is the experience of discovering alarming findings without being able to relay those to patients. This is the situation faced by Diego Diaz, a radiologic technologist specializing in MRIs and X-rays in New York City, when scans reveal concerning issues.
Diaz stresses he is not a doctor, saying, ‘When it comes to seeing something concerning on a scan, our role as MRI technologists is to capture the best possible images for the radiologist, who is the doctor trained to interpret them.’ He adds, ‘We aren’t allowed to diagnose or discuss findings with patients—that’s the radiologist’s job.’
However, he acknowledges that there are times when he senses ‘something doesn’t look right,’ but he must set those feelings aside. ‘I focus on staying professional and ensuring the images are clear and complete so the radiologist has everything they need to make an accurate diagnosis,’ he explains.
This task, however, is not always simple. ‘Keeping a lid on it can be tough, especially if a patient is anxious or asks directly, but I remind myself that my priority is their care and not causing unnecessary stress,’ Diaz states.
Ultimately, he reminds himself that his role is about assisting patients in getting ‘the answers they need,’ even if they may not be the ones they hoped for. This complexity of the job partly inspired Diaz to share his experiences on TikTok under the handle onedayyoumay.
‘I wanted to inspire others to consider a career in the medical field,’ Diaz stated. He aims to provide a ‘realistic yet motivational’ perspective on his profession, showcasing both the exciting and challenging aspects of radiology.
In one of his recent videos, Diaz reflects on this difficult aspect of his work, noting the emotional weight of watching someone leave with a smile, oblivious to life-altering news. He does not involve real patients in his videos, and makes it clear that ethical standards are maintained: ‘No patients are ever harmed or neglected.’ His skits aim to demystify the complexities of medical imaging.
Diaz’s work has resonated with many, with one video garnering over four million views and prompting viewers to share their own experiences. As one user remarked, ‘Pretty sure my tech knew my massive tumor was cancerous, but he was so positive and made me laugh the whole visit.’ Another commented, ‘IF this is cancer, it will be a bump in the road & you will get through it. I am 7 years past it now.’
Meanwhile, Diaz aspires to educate and empower individuals regarding their health. ‘I want to inspire others to ask questions and perceive the human side of health-care professionals. It’s about making the unknown feel familiar,’ he concludes.
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