The long-term effectiveness of a radiology memorandum.
OBJECTIVE
This informal prospective study was designed to document the long-term effectiveness of a radiology department policy memorandum as a communication tool. A memorandum outlining the departmental policy regarding radiographic imaging of pregnant or possibly pregnant patients served as the study model.


METHODS
A departmental obstetric policy memorandum was distributed to all radiology personnel, including faculty and residents. The effectiveness of the memorandum was measured by the ability of all department personnel to answer specific test questions about the policy 1 year after its distribution.


RESULTS
Nine (41%) in the faculty/fellow group and seven (41%) residents gave partially correct answers about policy content. There were no totally correct policy content answers in either group. Thirty-eight (64%) of the technology staff knew the entire policy content.


CONCLUSIONS
Staff radiologists, fellows, and residents demonstrated an unacceptable level of knowledge concerning the policy content and location. Technologists, technology students, and clerks demonstrated a more acceptable level of knowledge of the policy than did radiologists. A single memorandum without repetition or constant surveillance is not an effective communication tool to alert radiologists to the importance of understanding and implementing policy directives.
Erkonen
W E
WE
Department of Radiology, University of Iowa College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, USA.
Smith
W L
WL
Anderson
K J
KJ
D002983:Clinical Competence; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D003142:Communication; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011871:Radiology / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires