PATIENT EXPERIENCES AND COMFORT DURING COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY EXAMINATIONS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Background: Computed Tomography (CT) scanning has become an indispensable diagnostic tool in modern healthcare, yet patient experience during these procedures often receives limited attention. Understanding patient perspectives on safety, comfort, and communication during CT examinations is crucial for delivering patient-centered care. Objective: To evaluate patient experiences, comfort levels, anxiety, and overall satisfaction during computed tomography examinations, identifying factors that influence patient comfort and areas for improvement in patient-centered care. Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted at Dr. D.Y. Patil Medical College and Hospital, Pune, between April and July 2025. A total of 250 adult patients undergoing CT examinations completed a structured questionnaire assessing anxiety levels, physical comfort, communication quality, and overall satisfaction. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and correlation analysis. Results: The study population consisted of 130 females (52%) and 120 males (48%), with the largest age group being 46-60 years (36.4%). First-time CT patients comprised 44% of participants. Moderate to high anxiety was reported by 52.4% of patients, primarily due to fear of results (37.2%) and first-time experience (32.4%). Despite anxiety, 100% of patients rated technologist support as "very good," and 71.2% described their overall experience as "very good." Significant correlations were found between table comfort and anxiety levels (p<0.001). Conclusion: While CT scanning technology continues to advance, patient experiences and comfort are significantly influenced by communication quality, staff empathy, and environmental factors. Simple interventions focusing on patient education, emotional support, and physical comfort can substantially improve the CT examination experience and patient satisfaction.