title: Added Value of Radiologist Consultation for Pediatric Ultrasound: Implementation and Survey Assessment.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to determine whether radiologist-parent (guardian) consultation sessions for pediatric ultrasound with immediate disclosure of examination results if desired increases visit satisfaction, decreases anxiety, and increases understanding of the radiologist's role.
  
  
  METHODS
  Parents chaperoning any outpatient pediatric ultrasound were eligible and completed surveys before and after ultrasound examinations. Before the second survey, parents met with a pediatric radiologist on a randomized basis but could opt out and request or decline the consultation. Differences in anxiety and understanding of the radiologist's role before and after the examination were compared, and overall visit satisfaction measures were tabulated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seventy-seven subjects participated, 71 (92%) of whom spoke to a radiologist, mostly on request. In the consultation group, the mean score (1, lowest; 4, highest) for overall experience was 3.8 ± 0.4 (SD), consultation benefit was 3.7 ± 0.6, and radiologist interaction was 3.7 ± 0.6. Demographics were not predictive of satisfaction with statistical significance in a multivariate model. Forty-six of 68 (68%) respondents correctly described the radiologist's role before consultation. The number increased to 60 (88%) after consultation, and the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001). There was also a statistically significant decrease in mean anxiety score from 2.0 ± 1.0 to 1.5 ± 0.8 after consultation (p < 0.001). Sixty-four of 70 (91%) respondents indicated that they would prefer to speak with a radiologist during every visit.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Radiologist consultation is well received among parents and associated with decreased anxiety and increased understanding of the radiologist's role. The results of this study support the value of routine radiologist-parent interaction for pediatric ultrasound.
authors.affiliation: 1 All authors: Department of Radiology, Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, Stanford University School of Medicine, 725 Welch Rd, Rm 1690, Stanford, CA 94305.|2 Present address: Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit St, Boston, MA 02114.
authors.forename: Evan J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Zucker
authors.affiliation: 1 All authors: Department of Radiology, Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, Stanford University School of Medicine, 725 Welch Rd, Rm 1690, Stanford, CA 94305.
authors.forename: Beverley
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Newman
authors.affiliation: 1 All authors: Department of Radiology, Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, Stanford University School of Medicine, 725 Welch Rd, Rm 1690, Stanford, CA 94305.
authors.forename: David B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Larson
authors.affiliation: 1 All authors: Department of Radiology, Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, Stanford University School of Medicine, 725 Welch Rd, Rm 1690, Stanford, CA 94305.
authors.forename: Erika
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rubesova
authors.affiliation: 1 All authors: Department of Radiology, Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, Stanford University School of Medicine, 725 Welch Rd, Rm 1690, Stanford, CA 94305.
authors.forename: Richard A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Barth
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D010372:Pediatrics; D011368:Professional-Family Relations; D011871:Radiology; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D014463:Ultrasonography
keywords: anxiety; pediatric; radiologist consultation; satisfaction; survey; ultrasound