Does Direct Radiologist-Patient Verbal Communication Affect Follow-Up Compliance of Probably Benign Assessments?

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Medical Imaging
• Patient Compliance

Background:

• Follow-up imaging is crucial for managing probably benign breast findings (BI-RADS category 3).
• Effective communication of results and recommendations is essential for ensuring patient adherence to follow-up schedules.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate whether direct verbal communication of breast imaging results by a radiologist impacts follow-up compliance rates.
• To compare compliance rates between patients informed by radiologists versus technologists.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of patients with newly assessed probably benign breast findings (BI-RADS category 3) between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2010.
• Categorization of patients based on whether the radiologist or technologist verbally communicated the findings and follow-up recommendations.
• Recording patient adherence to 6-, 12-, and 24-month follow-up imaging recommendations.

Main Results:

• Overall compliance rates were 83.0% at 6 months, 68.1% at 6 and 12 months, and 57.4% at 6, 12, and 24 months.
• No significant difference in compliance was observed between patients who received direct radiologist communication versus those informed by a technologist for diagnostic mammography alone.
• No significant difference in compliance was found between patients undergoing diagnostic mammography alone versus ultrasound with or without diagnostic mammography.

Conclusions:

• Verbal communication of findings and recommendations by either a radiologist or technologist achieves high initial patient compliance.
• Direct verbal communication by a radiologist does not offer a significant advantage in improving follow-up compliance compared to communication by a technologist.