Relationships between radiologists and clinicians: Results from three surveys

AIM: To analyse reasons for and the nature of clinico-radiological contacts and their clinical impact. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three different surveys were performed, (1) Data concerning contacts between staff radiologists (n = 20) and clinicians during 10 consecutive working days were collected; (2) staff clinicians (n = 174) filled in a questionnaire asking for their opinions about relationships with radiologists; (3) staff radiologists collected data about contacts with clinicians related to more urgent/complicated cases. Radiologists assessed the clinical impact of the radiological procedure and of the consultation. RESULTS: (1) During 220 working days 20 radiologists had a mean of 3.95 contacts per day (48.2 % personal contacts, 51.8% telephone contacts), amounting to a personal total of 21.65 min per day, These contacts amounted to a total of 7.08 h per day, roughly one whole-time equivalent radiologist. (2) These consultations helped to refine the diagnostic strategy often (12.6%) or sometimes (71.4%) and to alter therapeutic decisions often (10.4%) or sometimes (56.6%). (3) The initial clinical diagnosis was changed in 50% of cases and the therapy was substantially changed on the basis of further radiological investigations and clinical-radiological discussion in 60% of cases. CONCLUSION: Clinical-radiological consultations are time consuming but have a beneficial diagnostic and therapeutic impact. (C) 2000 The Royal College of Radiologists.