The Perils of Communicating the Unexpected Finding

Failure to communicate is one of the greatest problems facing radiologists today. The courts have consistently held that timely communication may be as important as the diagnosis itself. One of the major driving forces that directly affects our failure to communicate is IT. Not only does IT provide patients with up-to-date information about medical conditions and diagnoses, it also allows the public to instantly communicate with one another, something they expect physicians to do as well. The paradox is that we are so advanced in imaging technology, but not in communicating imaging findings. This article addresses some of the most pressing issues in communicating unexpected findings and their possible solutions. Information technology can be a facilitator but not the substitute for direct communication with ordering physicians.