<p>Difficulties and possibilities in communication between referring clinicians and radiologists: perspective of clinicians</p>

Abstract

Purpose To investigate modes and quality of interprofessional communication between clinicians and radiologists, and to identify difficulties and possibilities in this context, as experienced by referring clinicians. Patients and methods Focus group interviews with 22 clinicians from different specialties were carried out. The leading question was: "How do you experience communication, verbal and nonverbal, between referring clinicians and radiologists?" Content analysis was used for interpretation of data. Results Overall, referring clinicians expressed satisfaction with their interprofessional communication with radiologists, and digital access to image data was highly appreciated. However, increased reliance on digital communication has led to reduced face-to-face contacts between clinicians and radiologists. This seems to constitute a potential threat to bilateral feedback, joint educational opportunities, and interprofessional development. Cumbersome medical information software systems, time constraints, shortage of staff, reliance on teleradiology, and lack of uniform format of radiology reports were mentioned as problematic. Further implementation of structured reporting was considered beneficial. Conclusion Deepened face-to-face contacts between clinicians and radiologists were considered prerequisites for mutual understanding, deepened competence and mutual trust; a key factor in interprofessional communication. Clinicians and radiologists should come together in order to secure bilateral feedback and obtain deepened knowledge of the specific needs of subspecialized clinicians.

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“…However, there are some inherent drawbacks to using this technology. The use of PACS have led to decreased direct communication between radiologists and other clinicians and increased the time spent by radiologists seated in their computer workstations [8, 9].…”

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“…These relationships not only protect radiologists from being replaceable [ 8 , 41 ] but, the absence of these relationships may undermine the radiologist's sense of professional dedication and fulfillment [ 8 ]. Referring physicians highly value these relationships and consider them important in developing interprofessional trust [ 42 ]. Furthermore, radiology consultations have management implications.…”

Aprendizaje radiológico basado en problema clínico específico: parte 2, ¿cómo se elabora un informe radiológico?

“…Pese a lo anterior, prácticamente no hay publicaciones nacionales acerca de la forma de realizar el informe ni de los elementos del informe radiológico esenciales; algunas publicaciones hacen referencia a lo que necesita el médico solicitante o tratante del informe radiológico 24,29,30,[34][35][36] . Los aspectos relevantes de un informe radiológico no sólo se limitan a satisfacer las necesidades clínico-diagnósticas del médico, sino también a la transmisión de los hallazgos al paciente y a cualquiera otra instancia que tenga acceso al informe radiológico.…”

“…Los aspectos relevantes de un informe radiológico no sólo se limitan a satisfacer las necesidades clínico-diagnósticas del médico, sino también a la transmisión de los hallazgos al paciente y a cualquiera otra instancia que tenga acceso al informe radiológico. Dada la trascendencia del informe para el paciente y las decisiones clínicas, es de enorme importancia conocer lo que el médico clínico espera [34][35][36][37] para satisfacer sus expectativas, con apego a una estructura y contenido precisos 38,39 y materializar un proceso de mejora continua que permita perfeccionar el informe radiológico al aplicar el modelo de las 5 C: contacto, comunicación, pregunta clave, colaboración y cierre del suceso 40 .…”