TY - JOUR
T1 - Radiologist-Patient Communication
T2 - Current Practices and Barriers to Communication in Breast Imaging
AU - Aminololama-Shakeri, Shadi
AU - Soo, Mary Scott
AU - Grimm, Lars J.
AU - Watts, Meredith R.
AU - Poplack, Steven P.
AU - Rapelyea, Jocelyn
AU - Saphier, Nicole
AU - Stack, Rand
AU - Destounis, Stamatia
N1 - Funding Information:
The authors thank Elizabeth Morris, MD, immediate past president of the SBI, for her vision, leadership, and support in creating the SBI PCDTF. The authors also thank all members of the SBI PCDTF as well as the SBI staff.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2018 American College of Radiology
PY - 2019/5
Y1 - 2019/5
N2 - Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess variability in radiologist-patient communication practices and barriers to communication among members of the Society of Breast Imaging (SBI). Methods: A 36-item questionnaire developed by the SBI Patient Care and Delivery Task Force was distributed electronically to SBI members to evaluate patient communication, education, and screening practices. Data from 14 items investigating patient communication (eg, practices, comfort, barriers to communication) were analyzed and compared with demographic variables using χ 2 or independent t tests as appropriate. Results: Ninety-three percent of radiologists reported that they directly communicate abnormal results of diagnostic mammographic examinations that require biopsy and malignant or high-risk biopsy results that require surgery. Radiologists (66%) and technologists (57%) often provide normal or negative diagnostic mammographic results. Most respondents were completely comfortable discussing the need for additional imaging, recommending biopsy, and discussing biopsy results directly with patients, and 71% rated their communication skills as excellent. Radiologists who spend less time in breast imaging reported only average communication skills. The most frequent barriers to communication were that practices were not set up for direct communication (loss of revenue) and discomfort with angry patients. Conclusions: Although variation in breast imaging communication practices exists among radiologists and practice types, the majority of radiologists directly communicate the most distressing results to patients, such as those regarding abnormal diagnostic mammographic findings requiring biopsies and abnormal biopsy results leading to cancer diagnoses and surgery. The majority of radiologists are completely comfortable with these conversations, but all feel that enhancing communication with patients will lead to greater patient satisfaction.
AB - Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess variability in radiologist-patient communication practices and barriers to communication among members of the Society of Breast Imaging (SBI). Methods: A 36-item questionnaire developed by the SBI Patient Care and Delivery Task Force was distributed electronically to SBI members to evaluate patient communication, education, and screening practices. Data from 14 items investigating patient communication (eg, practices, comfort, barriers to communication) were analyzed and compared with demographic variables using χ 2 or independent t tests as appropriate. Results: Ninety-three percent of radiologists reported that they directly communicate abnormal results of diagnostic mammographic examinations that require biopsy and malignant or high-risk biopsy results that require surgery. Radiologists (66%) and technologists (57%) often provide normal or negative diagnostic mammographic results. Most respondents were completely comfortable discussing the need for additional imaging, recommending biopsy, and discussing biopsy results directly with patients, and 71% rated their communication skills as excellent. Radiologists who spend less time in breast imaging reported only average communication skills. The most frequent barriers to communication were that practices were not set up for direct communication (loss of revenue) and discomfort with angry patients. Conclusions: Although variation in breast imaging communication practices exists among radiologists and practice types, the majority of radiologists directly communicate the most distressing results to patients, such as those regarding abnormal diagnostic mammographic findings requiring biopsies and abnormal biopsy results leading to cancer diagnoses and surgery. The majority of radiologists are completely comfortable with these conversations, but all feel that enhancing communication with patients will lead to greater patient satisfaction.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85058688350&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85058688350&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.jacr.2018.10.016
DO - 10.1016/j.jacr.2018.10.016
M3 - Article
C2 - 30580958
AN - SCOPUS:85058688350
SN - 1546-1440
VL - 16
SP - 709
EP - 716
JO - Journal of the American College of Radiology
JF - Journal of the American College of Radiology
IS - 5
ER -
