Benefits to Patients and Clinicians of Discussing Explanatory Images During Uterine Fibroid Consultations

This study of an interventional radiology practice's uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) consultations explains how patient-clinician discussion of images produces communication patterns that benefit patients and clinicians. The examples analyzed here show how inconsultation discussion of images aids patients' treatment decisions by enhancing their understanding and recall of information about causes of uterine fibroid tumor symptoms and the UFE procedure. The data also show that such interaction affects clinicians' understandings of patients' particular information needs and concerns. Discussion of images prompts patients to present information about their current medical conditions and treatments, which they did not reveal earlier during standard history taking. Both patients and clinicians mentioned that inconsultation discussion of explanatory images led to patients' satisfaction with their consultations.