Investigation Of Patient Understanding And Communication Preferences Associated With Radiation Exposure From CT Scans
M Supanich1*, H Ho2, L Sclamberg3, (1) Rush, Chicago, IL, (2) DLR Group, (3) University Of Ohio,
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PO-GePV-I-48 (Sunday, 7/10/2022) [Eastern Time (GMT-4)]
ePoster Forums
Purpose: We investigate patient experiences and preferences regarding communication of radiation dose information from CT exams to inform patient-centered communication in Radiology.
Methods: With IRB approval and subject consent, we surveyed patients undergoing CT exams at an outpatient imaging center in a major metropolitan area. Patients were approached by the study team and asked to participate in the tablet based survey . Responses on demographics, interactions with physicians regarding benefits and radiation risk of scans, importance of image quality vs. dose, preferences on radiation dose communication post exam, and satisfaction with the radiologyinfo.org statement on CT risk vs benefit were collected and analyzed.
Results: Subjects reported discussing the benefits of a CT exam with their referring or primary physician (62%), radiologist (16%), other staff (15%), no one (13%), and family members (12%), Participant responses for discussing radiation risk prior to the CT exam were no discussion (28%), radiologist (22%), referring or primary physician (20%), family (17%), other staff (12%). Over 62% of subjects responded with a preference for an exam with the best image quality possible and 26% preferred an exam with the lowest radiation dose possible. Participants responded to the question on the importance of receiving radiation dose information following a scan on a scale of 1 (not important) to 5 (very important) with an average of 4.0. Subjects prompted with the risk/benefit statement regarding CT scans and radiation dose from radiologyinfo.org reported an average satisfaction of 8.2 on a scale of 0 (no at all satisfied) to 10 (extremely satisfied).
Conclusion: Assumptions about patient concerns about radiation dose may be overstated. Significant opportunities exist for practices to communicate with patients regarding CT risks and benefits. Directing patients to existing resources such as radiologyinfo.org may increase patient satisfaction as could providing CT scan radiation exposure information following the exam.
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