Patient-centered Radiology: Where Are We, Where Do We Want to Be, and How Do We Get There?

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Healthcare Communication
• Patient-Centered Care

Background:

• Patient-centered radiology emphasizes the patient's role in their healthcare.
• Direct radiologist-to-patient communication is a key aspect of patient-centered care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess radiologists' attitudes towards patient-centered radiology and direct communication.
• To identify barriers hindering radiologist-patient communication.
• To explore potential solutions for overcoming these barriers.

Main Methods:

• An anonymous electronic survey was distributed to 5999 members of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).
• The survey assessed attitudes, experiences, and barriers related to patient-centered radiology and radiologist-patient communication.
• Statistical analyses included chi-squared tests and analysis of variance.

Main Results:

• 89% of respondents believe promoting radiology's role in patient health is important.
• 73% cited time or workload as frequent barriers to direct patient communication.
• Increased reimbursement and compensation were suggested as motivators for direct communication.

Conclusions:

• Many radiologists support direct patient communication but are limited by practical constraints.
• Addressing time, workload, and reimbursement issues is crucial for advancing patient-centered radiology.