Communication of mammography results to women by radiologists: attitudes of referring health care providers.
OBJECTIVE
To understand the attitudes of referring physicians about the communication of mammography results directly to women by radiologists.


METHODS
Questionnaires were mailed to 87 health care providers (85 physicians and two nurse practitioners) who regularly refer women to the authors' mammographic facility. Responses were answered by assigning a score of 1-5 (strongly agree to strongly disagree).


RESULTS
Seventy-one (82%) referring providers responded to the survey. For normal results, 85% agreed that radiologists should report directly to women; for abnormal results, 58% agreed. For a radiologist to send a written report directly to women, 75% agreed for normal results and 73% for abnormal results. For follow-up reminders, 67% agreed the radiologist should do it, 25% agreed both the radiologist and referring physician should be both responsible, and 8% agreed the referring physician should do it.


CONCLUSIONS
Referring physicians were receptive to the direct communication of mammography results to women by radiologists. Use of this type of survey is recommended for radiologists planning to change their communication protocols.
Bassett
L W
LW
Iris Cantor Center for Breast Imaging, Department of Radiological Sciences, University of California, School of Medicine, Los Angeles 90024-6952.
Bomyea
K
K
Liu
S
S
Sayre
J
J
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003142:Communication; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D008297:Male; D008327:Mammography; D009722:Nurse Practitioners / Q000523:psychology*; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology*; D011871:Radiology; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires