JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Communication of results are increasingly targeted to patients directly, but there are controversies surrounding report communication from the perspectives of patients, ordering providers, and radiologists.

Objective:

To compare and contrast patients and providers regarding preferred imaging report source of information; imaging reporting method and perceptions of patients’ understanding of imaging reports.

Methods:

We gathered preferences from patients and providers through surveys. In total 91 patients and 75 physicians, 10 physician assistants, and 6 nurse practitioners completed the surveys. We used chi square and t-tests to compare differences in means between the groups. Logistic regression was used to analyze the probability of an ordering provider to prefer online release of imaging results as the first method of communication as a function of provider characteristics.

Results:

Of the 94 providers who participated in the study, 56.4% were female and 87% were white. On average, they had more than 15 years of experience. Most providers prefer delaying the release of imaging reports to patients until they have first reviewed the report themselves. There was significant provider preference heterogeneity regarding imaging report communication to patients and timing of release of the reports to patients. The majority of patients who completed the survey were female (76.9%) and 18.7% were non-white. Patients generally prefer to receive their imaging results online as soon as they are available.

Conclusions:

Results of this study suggest that shared decision-making prior to release of imaging results could help establish how, when, and who should deliver the results to patients first. This study can be leveraged to explore options for a differentiated reporting approach more responsive to patient and provider needs.