Imaging Pearls ❯ Practice Management ❯ Consultation in CT
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- “The electronic consultation system allowed primary care providers to easily consult with radiologists, was perceived as high value by primary care providers, resulted in altered patient management, and avoided unnecessary imaging tests. We identified follow-up imaging of cystic lesions and imaging workup of pain in patients as opportunities for continuing medical education for primary care providers.”
Electronic Consultation Between Primary Care Providers and Radiologists
Walker D et al.
AJR 2020; 215:929–933 - “Given that the eConsult platform is aimed at helping PCPs and patients, evaluation of their experience is critical to providing a viable long-term solution for connecting with specialist physicians. In this study, results pertaining to perceived value were over- whelmingly positive, with three-quarters of PCPs rating the value of the service for both themselves and their patients as excel- lent; similar positive results were seen in the study by Shehata et al. Although com- ments from PCPs were exceedingly positive, the negative comment noted earlier suggests that the eConsult platform may not be suit- able for acute care scenarios.”
Electronic Consultation Between Primary Care Providers and Radiologists
Walker D et al.
AJR 2020; 215:929–933 - “The eConsult platform provides PCPs with easy access to expert opinion by radiologists and promotes collaboration between physicians to improve patient care. As a result of eConsult, patient care was altered and unnecessary imaging tests were avoided, resulting in more efficient resource use. It may be helpful for radiologists to alter their reporting style to include clear follow-up guidelines for incidental findings, and that PCPs may benefit from CME on imaging of cystic lesions and use of imaging in the workup of a patient’s pain."
Electronic Consultation Between Primary Care Providers and Radiologists
Walker D et al.
AJR 2020; 215:929–933
- Key Point
Was the high rate of incorrect diagnosis more of a communication error than a film interpretation error?
Who was the source of the error?
The radiologist
The oncologist
The communication network - "We do not know whether there was a misdiagnosis in the original report, or if it was misunderstood by the oncologist, whether comparisons were carried out, or if any information ws missing. Nevertheless the management decision is made by the treating oncologist, and it is his opinion that counts."
The effect of a Radiology Conference consultation on cancer patients management
Brook OR et al.
Annals of Oncology doi:1093/annonc/mdq581 - " It should be emphasized that we did not measure the quality of the radiologic reports and we did not carry any comparison between original and interpretative reports. Original reports were not available at the time of the conference."
The effect of a Radiology Conference consultation on cancer patients management
Brook OR et al.
Annals of Oncology doi:1093/annonc/mdq581 - "Lung cancer was the most prominently affected cancer type with a major change in treatment in 46% of cases, followed by breast cancer with 36%, colon cancer with 35% and pancreatic cancer with 20%."
The effect of a Radiology Conference consultation on cancer patients management
Brook OR et al.
Annals of Oncology doi:1093/annonc/mdq581 - "Consultation at a Radiological Conference in a tertiary center led to major changes in the management of 37% of the cancer patients presented and provided important information regarding the patients disease in up to 50% of patients"
The effect of a Radiology Conference consultation on cancer patients management
Brook OR et al.
Annals of Oncology doi:1093/annonc/mdq581 - "By offering an even higher level of personalized service through direct communication, radiologists can dispel this viewpoint by showing patients that they customize imaging examinations to fit each patient™s individual health care needs."
The Invisible Radiologist
Glazer GM, Ruiz-Wibbelsmann JA
Radiology 2011; 258:18-22 - "However, the invisibilty of radiologists perpetuates the misperception that many imaging services are commodities."
The Invisible Radiologist
Glazer GM, Ruiz-Wibbelsmann JA
Radiology 2011; 258:18-22