Patient-centered Radiology Reporting for Lung Cancer Screening

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Patient-Centered Care
• Health Communication

Background:

• The healthcare landscape is shifting towards patient-centered models, emphasizing patient involvement in care.
• Electronic health portals grant patients access to medical records, but comprehension remains a challenge.
• Radiology reports, historically physician-to-physician communication tools, use complex language and lack standardization, hindering patient understanding.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a patient-friendly infographic-formatted radiology report for low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) lung cancer screening.
• To enhance patient comprehension and engagement by creating accessible and visually appealing medical information.

Main Methods:

• Collaboration with patient advisory groups to gather feedback on report design.
• Development of a novel infographic-style LDCT lung cancer screening report.
• Inclusion of clear explanations of LDCT, individualized results, their implications, and next steps in patient care.

Main Results:

• A patient-friendly infographic report for LDCT lung cancer screening was successfully developed.
• The report is designed to be visually attractive and easily understandable for the average patient.
• The format aims to bridge the communication gap between radiologists and patients.

Conclusions:

• Infographic-formatted radiology reports have the potential to significantly improve patient understanding of their health.
• This approach empowers patients to actively participate in their healthcare decisions.
• The patient-centered infographic report serves as a vital tool for enhancing health literacy and patient engagement.