Should radiologists talk to patients?

The role of a consultant radiologist—are patients still in the dark?

“…When the same investigator assessed the attitudes of medical staff and radiologists to the same question [15], they found that clinical staff considered that patients should be told the results of their radiological investigation at the time of asking. Similar findings have been replicated in the UK; 93% of patients indicated that they would like a radiologist to tell them the results of their investigation immediately [16]. Radiologists working within breast screening units have arguably a closer relationship with patients [17].…”

Disclosure of imaging findings to patients directly by radiologists: survey of patients' preferences.

“…The questionnaire consisted of the following four questions: 1 95 patients over a 5-day period completed the questionnaire with question 3 first rather than third.…”

“…Patients often ask radiologists about the results of their radiologic examinations, and they are often prepared for the worst, even after the most routine examination [1]. We undertook to learn patients' wishes using a questionnaire.…”

The radiological report... and then what?

“…However, this percentage increases considerably (to around 70%) when the condition is serious or urgent [11][12][13][14][15][16][17]. Other, especially French, authors have taken for granted the need for verbal communication with the patient to explain the procedures and have moved on to analyse the various possibilities and opportunities of verbal communication [18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26], dispensing many -at times interesting but often obvious -suggestions and providing some protocols [Costruire, Réaliser, Ecouter, Donner informations, Organiser (CREDO), Partnership, Excuses (Apology), Respect, Legitimization, Empathy, Support (PERLES), Setting up, Perception, Invitation, Knowledge, Emotions, Strategy (SPIKES)] to improve and standardise communication.…”

“…The first contribution bringing radiologists' attention to the increasing lack of information to patients with regard to examination results was the famous and much-quoted editorial by Berlin [5] [11][12][13][14][15][16][17]. Ancora altri autori, specie francesi, considerata come acquisita la necessità del colloquio con il paziente per la spiegazione degli esami, hanno analizzato le diverse e le migliori possibilità ed opportunità della comunicazione verbale [18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26] The numerous papers that followed mainly concerned the two basic aspects of communication: "if and why" and "how". According to several authors, the question remains open: the ethical and deontological requirement for communication is not in question (and improved communication can help avoid malpractice litigation), whereas the controversy remains as to whether it should be the radiologist to communicate with the patient and whether this is indeed what the patient wants [6][7][8][9][10].…”