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EDIT 7/4/25: I’m excited to say that a project I’ve been working on is now live. The In Our Image Database from the Fat Legal Advocacy, Rights, and Education (FLARE!) Project is a listing of imaging sites that accommodate higher-weight patients. You can search the database, add to it, and/or volunteer to help expand the project!

Finding out that you need an x-ray, MRI, CT or other scan can be scary for people of all sizes, but fat* people can face a lot of additional and, unfortunately, well-founded fears about the experience. Here are some tips and tricks for people who offer these scans to make the experience better for higher-weight patients.

I know that many people won’t be able to do all of these things, what I’m asking is that you use any power/privilege/leverage you have to do what you can (and know that anything you can do WILL make a difference) and then consider finding allies who you can work with to push for larger changes.

1.      Know what you are working with

Know everything you can about the equipment and facility. What is the weight-rating of the table/bed/chair? What is the bore size of the scanner? Are there any other size/weight limitations? If you don’t have the most accommodating equipment that exists, proactively create a list of who does so that you can refer patients. Make sure all of that information is easy to access for everyone who might be patient-facing.

2.      Know the people you are working with

Be aware of all the patients you may work with. Sometimes when it comes to inclusion, identities can become siloed. So even if there are protocols for higher-weight patients and protocols for wheelchair users who need to transfer, there may not be protocols for higher-weight patients who are wheelchair users who need to transfer. Sometimes a lot of focus is put toward accommodating patients physically, but less focus is put on making sure patients, including neurodivergent patients, are psychologically comfortable. Consider bringing in educators and/or consultants to help you think through all the patients you might work with and proactively create protocols so that every patient will have a positive, seamless experience.

3.      Communicate what you are working with to the people you are working with

Give as much information as you can – including the weight ratings and bore sizes of your equipment, any accommodations you offer (for size, disability, neurodivergence etc.) be honest about who you can’t accommodate (and offer referrals to places that can). Don’t wait for patients to ask and don’t make assumptions about who needs to know. Provide this information to every potential patient early, often, and through as many delivery methods as possible – on your website, when patients call, on their MyChart or other online patient record, in appointment reminder texts, literally in every possible way.

Communicating about accessibility and accommodations helps people who need the access and accommodations AND it educates people who may currently have p