Of the 5,000 survey recipients, 2,117 (42.3%) completed the survey. Twelve patients who reported never having had an MRI were excluded. A total of 2,105 participants were included in the analysis (age range: 24-86 years [mean±SD = 61.2±9.8]; females: 80.7%). Whites and African-Americans comprised 96.2% and 2%, respectively. Over 95% of participants expressed interest in the opportunity to be shown their MRI pictures by their MS care providers; however, 37.7% reported that they were never or rarely shown their MRI pictures. Nearly 97% of patients were aware of the rationale for looking for new, enlarging or enhancing MRI lesions. About 66% of participants reported that potential safety concerns of intravenous gadolinium for MRI were never discussed with them. Nearly 33.5% of patients were aware of the possibility of gadolinium retention in some people’s brains.

Opportunities exist in optimizing the patient experience of shared decision-making surrounding MRI in MS care. Providing patients the opportunity to see their actual MRI pictures during clinical encounters, and discussing potential safety concerns of the repeated use of contrast agents represent two such opportunities. Further research is needed to assess how improving shared decision-making around MRI may affect treatment adherence and long-term outcomes in MS.