title: Radiologist, obstetric patient, and emergency department provider survey: radiologist-patient interaction in the emergency department setting.
abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and acceptance of a model of direct interaction between radiologist and patients in the emergency department (ED) setting. The study population was comprised of pregnant patients accrued in a non-consecutive prospective manner from June 2014 to September 2015, who had an obstetrical ultrasound performed in the radiology department of an inner-city tertiary care hospital at the request of the ED. The feasibility and approval of direct communication between radiologist and patient were evaluated by means of a questionnaire presented by an independent observer to the ED provider, patient, and radiologist. The exam enrolled 54 patients. Ultrasound (US) exam results were divided into (31) normal live intrauterine gestation (group 1), (7) abnormal failed intrauterine gestation or ectopic pregnancy (group 2), and (16) indeterminate pregnancies that could not be placed in the former categories and may require a follow-up exam (group 3). Forty-five (83 %) ED providers approved of the radiologist's direct communication with patients. Fifty (93 %) patients stated a better understanding of the radiologist's role in their care after than before the interaction. The radiologists found the interaction with patients to be positive in 52 (96 %) cases. Direct communication between radiologist and patient yielded a good acceptance by the radiologist, ED provider, and patient. More importantly, after the encounter, the vast majority of patients reported a better understanding of the radiologist's role in their care.
authors.affiliation: Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 111 East 210th Street, Bronx, NY, 10467, USA. derlichman@gmail.com.
authors.forename: David B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Erlichman
authors.affiliation: Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 111 East 210th Street, Bronx, NY, 10467, USA.
authors.forename: Marjorie W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Stein
authors.affiliation: North Shore-LIJ Health System, Manhasset, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Amanda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Weiss
authors.affiliation: Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 111 East 210th Street, Bronx, NY, 10467, USA.
authors.forename: Fernanda
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mazzariol
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011271:Pregnancy, Ectopic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011446:Prospective Studies; D000072177:Radiologists; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal
keywords: Direct communication; Emergency department; Imaging findings; Patient care