Education and professionalism of the radiologist in a constantly evolving society

Doctor-patient communication in radiology: a great opportunity for future radiology

This text discusses several aspects of doctor-patient communication in radiology, including the origins, advantages, and ethical and legal aspects. Over the last 10 years, radiologists have assumed increasing responsibilities towards patients and society. Patients, who are becoming better informed and more aware about medical issues, have a right to be given a timely diagnosis and want to receive as much information as possible from the radiologist. This has implications for several levels of everyday radiological practice, including the organisation of work, legal and ethical aspects and radiologist training. Better interaction with the patient helps to build a closer, more trusting, relationship with the result that the radiologist will be more motivated in his or her work. Until now, radiologists were not adequately trained to communicate the diagnosis directly and verbally to patients, especially when the diagnosis was unfavourable. It is important to emphasise the need for more specific and practical training in this respect, which is indispensable for future developments of the discipline.

The radiological report... and then what?

The radiology report has always been considered as "the most important step in the clinical radiological act". While agreeing with this concept, the author emphasises that the report can in no way replace the duty to communicate with the patient, as mentioned in Art. 31, Italian Code of Medical Ethics. Italy aside, this issue has been thoroughly investigated and debated abroad since the 1970s and, in the past as well as more recently, many interesting contributions have been published both on the need for verbal communication, particularly in certain settings, and on the best manner to approach this task. A recent book published in Italy also provides useful advice in this regard. The author hopes that in Italy, as in other countries, an extensive debate will give rise to a fuller awareness of the issue, thereby providing a range of shared solutions.