Women's attitudes about receiving mammographic results directly from radiologists.
OBJECTIVE
To learn what women think about the communication of mammographic results directly to them by radiologists.


METHODS
Three hundred seven women completed a survey at the time of mammographic examination. The women were asked to indicate the strength of their agreement with seven statements about the communication of mammographic results directly to them by the radiologist.


RESULTS
The majority agreed that the radiologist should give them normal (286 women [93%]) or abnormal (277 women [90%]) results directly on site. They also agreed that the radiologist should send a report written in lay language of normal (268 women [87%]) or abnormal (280 women [91%]) results directly to them and that the radiologist should inform them of recommendations for short-term follow-up examinations (93%) and monitor their compliance (88%).


CONCLUSIONS
Because these results reflect findings for only these patients, the authors suggest that additional investigation be performed to determine what women in diverse socioeconomic backgrounds and geographic locations think about these issues.
Iris Cantor Center for Breast Imaging, Department of Radiological Sciences, UCLA School of Medicine 90024-6952.
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Liu
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Bassett
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Sayre
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D003142:Communication; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008327:Mammography / Q000523:psychology*; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010819:Physician's Role; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011871:Radiology / Q000592:standards*; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014342:Truth Disclosure; D014481:United States