Jan Maria Lodewijk Bosmans MD, PhD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Joost J Weyler MD, PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Arthur De Schepper MD, PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Paul M. Parizel MD, PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Rik Achten MD, PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Koenraad K. L. Verstraete MD, PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To determine and compare the value of radiology reports for general practitioners, orthopedic surgeons and specialists in internal medicine by means of a post hoc analysis of a major bi-national survey among referring physicians.

In the COVER internet survey, 3,884 clinicians from Flanders (Belgium) and The Netherlands were invited by e-mail to state their level of agreement with 46 statements on the radiology report. The results of the main study were published in Radiology. 1 A post hoc analysis of the data was performed to determine and compare the value of the report for general practitioners (GP), orthopaedic surgeons (OS) and specialists in internal medicine (IM). Dichotomized results were compared by chi square statistic. A cut-off value of 50% was used to determine agreement, a neutral position, or disagreement. If none of these positions obtained a score of 50%, the matter was considered undecided.

We received 282 completed forms from GPs, 25 from OSs and 137 from IMs. Results per group can be found in table 1. GPs in our study relied heavily on the radiology report, IMs less, OSs very little.

Our results are in accordance with most radiologists’ everyday experience. Taking into account the need for productivity and the growing complexity of imaging modalities, radiologists should tailor their reports even more to the requirements of the referring clinicians.

Tailoring the report to the needs of the referring clinicians can increase productivity and relieve radiologists and residents-in-training from time-consuming tasks with little added value.

Bosmans, J, Weyler, J, De Schepper, A, Parizel, P, Achten, R, Verstraete, K, One Size Does Not Fit All: General Practitioners, Orthopaedic Surgeons and Specialists in Internal Medicine on the Radiology Report.  Radiological Society of North America 2012 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 25 - November 30, 2012 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2012/12032455.html