Using a tailored web-based intervention to set goals to reduce unnecessary recall

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Medical Imaging
• Healthcare Quality Improvement

Background:

• Unnecessary patient recalls in breast imaging increase healthcare costs and patient anxiety.
• Radiologists' recall rates can vary significantly, influenced by factors like perceived risk and fear of litigation.
• Effective interventions are needed to help radiologists optimize interpretive performance and reduce recall rates.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate a tailored web-based intervention designed to assist radiologists in setting goals for reducing unnecessary recalls.
• To assess the impact of individualized audit data, peer comparisons, and risk profiling on radiologists' recall rate modification intentions.

Main Methods:

• A multisite randomized controlled study involving radiologists using a web-based intervention.
• The intervention provided peer comparison audit data, patient risk profiles, and malpractice concern evaluations.
• Data collected included the percentage of radiologists intending to change recall rates and the nature of their goals.

Main Results:

• 89.1% of radiologists completed the intervention, with 72.1% indicating a desire to change recall rates.
• 53.3% of those who provided a textual response set realistic goals for reducing unnecessary recalls.
• Radiologists expressed increased attention to patient risk factors and significant concerns about malpractice and lawsuits.

Conclusions:

• Web-based interventions can effectively guide radiologists in setting achievable goals to decrease unnecessary recalls.
• Addressing patient risk factors and malpractice concerns within interventions may enhance goal setting for recall reduction.