title: Evidence-based guideline for the written radiology report: methods, recommendations and implementation challenges.
abstract: The written radiology report is the dominant method by which radiologists communicate the results of diagnostic and interventional imaging procedures. It has an important impact on decisions about further investigation and management. Its form and content can be influential in reducing harm to patients and mitigating risk for practitioners but varies markedly with little standardisation in practice. Until now, the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists has not had a guideline for the written report. International guidelines on this subject are not evidence based and lack description of development methods. The current guideline seeks to improve the quality of the written report by providing evidence-based recommendations for good practice. The following attributes of the report are addressed by recommendations: Content Clinical information available to the radiologist at the time the report was created Technical details of the procedure Examination quality and limitations Findings (both normal and abnormal) Comparison with previous studies Pathophysiological diagnosis Differential diagnoses Clinical correlation and/or answer to the clinical question Recommendations, particularly for further imaging and other investigations Conclusion/opinion/impression Format Length Format Language Confidence and certainty Clarity Readability Accuracy Communication of discrepancies between an original verbal or written report and the final report Proofreading/editing of own and trainee reports.
authors: Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Southern Health, Monash University, Sydney, Australia. Stacy.Goergen@southernhealth.org.au
authors: Stacy K
authors: SK
authors: Goergen
authors: Felicity J
authors: FJ
authors: Pool
authors: Tari J
authors: TJ
authors: Turner
authors: Jane E
authors: JE
authors: Grimm
authors: Mark N
authors: MN
authors: Appleyard
authors: Carmel
authors: C
authors: Crock
authors: Michael C
authors: MC
authors: Fahey
authors: Michael F
authors: MF
authors: Fay
authors: Nicholas J
authors: NJ
authors: Ferris
authors: Susan M
authors: SM
authors: Liew
authors: Richard D
authors: RD
authors: Perry
authors: Ann
authors: A
authors: Revell
authors: Grant M
authors: GM
authors: Russell
authors: Shih-Chang S C
authors: SC
authors: Wang
authors: Christian
authors: C
authors: Wriedt
mesh_terms: D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000592:standards*; D004282:Documentation / Q000592:standards*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D038622:Internationality; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D018787:Radiation Oncology / Q000592:standards*; D011871:Radiology / Q000592:standards*