Academic radiology
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Effective communication is essential for high quality care, yet little is known about radiologists' communication with patients, what constitutes "best communication practices," and how best to teach and evaluate it. We piloted educational strategies and an assessment instrument to teach and evaluate radiologists' communication skills. We focused on communication in the diagnostic mammography suite, where patient-radiologist interactions are often intense and stressful. ⋯ Educational curricula on communication about difficult information can be implemented in radiology training programs. Radiology residents' performance can be assessed using a communication skills assessment tool during standardized patient-teacher encounters. Further research is necessary in this important domain.
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To evaluate the potential benefits, harms, and cost-effectiveness of screening for asymptomatic, unruptured intracranial aneurysms in family members of patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). ⋯ The results suggest that MR angiography screening for asymptomatic, unruptured intracranial aneurysms in family members with two or more affected first-degree relatives is cost-effective. The benefit and cost-effectiveness are dependent on age at screening.
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This study evaluates utilization trends of emergency department (ED)-ordered magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations in an adult academic medical center over a 5-year period (2001-2005). ⋯ Multiple reasons are suggested that may increase utilization (perceived need for diagnostic certainty, as well as medico-legal and patient-driven factors). Whether this increase in MRI utilization resulted in improved patient outcomes is unclear and should be studied further. Implications for radiologist coverage and resident training are discussed.