Andrew Plumb BMBCh, MRCP, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Fiona Grieve MBBCH, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Shah Hassan Khan MBBS, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

There is a paucity of research concerning the content and format of reports preferred by clinicians. No comparison of the differences in preference between primary and secondary care physicians has been made. We sought to investigate this gap in the literature.

100 questionnaires were sent to primary care providers and 99 to secondary care physicians. Commonly included features of radiology reports were provided and the participants decided whether each item was appropriate for inclusion. The clinicians were then asked to rank several reports with varying format and levels of detail, for both normal and abnormal findings. Demographic details, satisfaction with current reports and free text comments were recorded. Rank data were analysed by the Friedman statistic, Fisher’s multiple comparisons test and the Kemeny-Young method. Comparison between the groups of clinicians was by the t-test or by non-parametric alternatives where appropriate.  

The return rate was 55%. Primary care providers were more satisfied with the content and clarity of reports than those in secondary care (p<0.005). Both groups agreed that information regarding the quality of imaging, recommendations for further investigation and a conclusion should be included. The primary care physicans valued recommendations for further treatment whereas the secondary care providers did not. For both clinical scenarios, the clinicians preferred detailed reports presented in a tabular format with a conclusion. This preference was statistially significant for normal reports in the case of the primary care providers, and for abnormal reports in secondary care. Both groups disliked brief reports with no conclusion. Tabular reports were preferred to prose (p<0.05). Detailed reports were preferred by those in secondary care (p<0.05). The primary care providers valued detail for normal reports, but not where there were significant abnormalities. The free text comments indicated that this was irrelevant detail for them, albeit useful for specialist care.    

The combination of a detailed, tabular report with a conclusion by the radiologist is the format preferred by both primary care and secondary care providers.

Where possible, detailed tabular reports with a conclusion should be issued. There is no need to alter reports for different groups of clinicians, as both groups preferred this format.

Plumb, A, Grieve, F, Khan, S, Comparison of Primary Care and Secondary Care Physicians' Preferences in the Format and Content of Radiology Reports.  Radiological Society of North America 2008 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, February 18 - February 20, 2008 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2008/6008945.html