[Pitfalls in radiological diagnostics : Inadequate diagnostic evaluation and communication with referring physicians]

Radiological diagnostics are a central component of many treatment pathways and are usually carried out within a horizontal division of responsibilities between radiologists and referring physicians. The exact content of the referral request is always decisive, as it determines the scope of the radiologist's obligations. Ambiguous or diagnostically inappropriate referrals require clarification to avoid patient harm and liability risks. Radiologists may generally rely on referring physicians to perform their professional duties carefully, but this trust ends when obvious deficits in qualification or performance become apparent. When preparing reports, findings must be complete, clear, and comprehensible-especially because referring physicians often lack radiological expertise. This includes providing explicit recommendations for any necessary additional diagnostics to prevent misinterpretations or omissions. Incidental findings outside the primary diagnostic question must also be taken seriously, documented, and further evaluated if necessary, not least as overlooking them may have legal consequences. Communication of findings is another key aspect: results must be transmitted securely and to the correct referring physician to avoid data-protection violations and delays in treatment. Only in rare cases involving acute danger is there a direct duty to inform the patient.