Radiology reports are the primary mechanism for communicating the findings of an imaging examination. However, both patients and referring physicians report significant frustration with the format of the standard radiology report, according to presenter Dr. Andrew Gunn of the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Interventional radiologists are in the unique position of being both creators and consumers of radiology reports, Gunn said.
"In that regard, many of us have seen that being consumers of radiology reports has influenced the way in which we create reports for our own referring physicians," Gunn said."For example, it is interesting to take note of common problems in the report that complicate our day-to-day practice, and then try to avoid those same issues when we are called upon to create reports."
In their poster, the researchers are seeking to pass some of these lessons on to their diagnostic radiology colleagues as a means of improving overall reporting practices.
"Viewers of the poster should gain a greater appreciation for the importance of language, following guidelines, and answering the clinical question within the radiology report," he told AuntMinnie.com.
