DIRECT DISCLOSURE BY RADIOLOGISTS OF IMAGING FINDINGS TO PATIENTS - ASURVEY OF RADIOLOGISTS AND MEDICAL STAFF MEMBERS

OBJECTIVE. A previous survey revealed that patients prefer to hear the results of imaging examinations from radiologists at the time of the procedure rather than be informed later by the referring physician. Th is study was performed to learn, by means of questionnaires, the attit udes of members of medical staff and of radiologists. SUBJECTS AND MET HODS. Questionnaires were sent to members of the medical staff at my i nstitution and to private and academic radiologists throughout the cou ntry. Respondents were presented with this statement: ''If an adult pa tient who knows why a radiologic examination is being performed and wh at is being sought asks to know the results from the radiologist, the radiologist should answer truthfully (and immediately contact the refe rring physician with the results and the fact that the patient has bee n informed).'' Five alternatives were presented: 1 = strongly agree, 2 = agree, 3 = neutral, 4 = disagree, and 5 = strongly disagree. Result s were tabulated by department in the first instance and by state and character of practice in the second. The sum of the replies in each ar ea was divided by the number replying to obtain a mean figure. RESULTS . The mean figure for members of medical staff was 2.35, which was on the agree side of neutral, indicating at least neutrality, leaning tow ard agreement, on the subject. The overall mean figure of 2.18 for rad iologists indicates substantial agreement with the stated proposition. CONCLUSION. This study suggests that radiologists and referring physi cians alike tend to support the proposition that, if asked, radiologis ts should disclose the results of imaging studies to patients.