Verbal Notification of Radiology Results: Are radiologists meeting expectations?

BACKGROUND Delayed communication of radiographic findings is associated with poor patient outcomes and significant medicolegal risk. Radiologists verbally contact referring practitioners with urgent findings, though practitioner's expectations regarding notification has rarely been examined. AIM To assess differences in preferred practice between radiologists and referring practitioners in the verbal communication of urgent radiology findings. METHODS For 33 clinical stems, respondents were asked if they would issue (radiologists) or expect to receive (referring practitioners) verbal notification of results or routine written communication only. Surveys were emailed to radiologists and referring practitioners of varying experience at a tertiary referral hospital in Melbourne, Victoria. RESULTS A total of 97 survey responses were received. 80 responses were from referring practitioners and 17 from radiologists. Referring practitioners were seen to slightly prefer verbal notification more often than issued by radiologists overall (61%; 95CI 57-66% verbal notification expected versus 58%; 95CI 52-64% issued). More senior referring practitioners with greater than 10 years' experience expected verbal notification more often (67%; 95CI 59-75%), and more senior radiologists issued verbal reports less often (54%; 95CI 39-69%). More junior referring practitioners, for example registrars or fellows, expected notification less often overall (59%; 95CI 43-76%). Subgroup analysis demonstrated statistically significant differences in notification preferences for certain clinical scenarios. CONCLUSIONS Overall results show fair correlation between referrer's expectations of verbal notification and the provision of verbal notification by radiologists. However, there were discrepancies in the practice and preferences of more junior and senior practitioners, in addition to in certain clinical scenarios. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.