What general practitioners require of diagnostic imaging departments: A case study

As a consequence of the Health and Social Care Act general practitioners (GPs) have a pivotal role in the commissioning of services. Analysis of GPs' satisfaction with imaging may help to ensure that these services meet their needs as well as offering an opportunity to re-evaluate the quality of the imaging services provided. To date, however, there is a paucity of research relating to GPs' satisfaction with diagnostic imaging services. This paper assesses levels of GPs' satisfaction with a diagnostic imaging service in a single locality in order to identify areas for potential service improvement. The research consisted of two phases; Phase 1 consisted of five semi-structured interviews with GP trainees. Phase 2 used the themes generated from the interviews to inform the construction of a satisfaction survey targeted at all GPs practising in the locality. The study found that although GPs are largely satisfied with the service they received, there were areas identified for potential improvement. These are the speed with which radiological reports were generated, the detail of the reports themselves, access to reports for investigations to which GPs' patients have been referred from other sources, access to feedback and guidance on how to make the best use of the service and access to images. Recommendations are made for implementing improvements or solutions which will address each of these areas.