Radiologists classify themselves as less competent than other physicians regarding knowledge of patient imaging costs and patient safety, according to research presented at the ARRS Annual Meeting in Vancouver.
The study conducted at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia and Northwestern University in Chicago compared 711 radiologists to 2,685 non-radiology physicians. Each physician was asked to rate, on a scale of one to five, their understanding of healthcare costs and patient safety. On the scale used in the study, a rating of three was considered "competent."
Results from the survey showed radiologists on average rated their understanding of patient safety at 3.1, while non-radiologists rated their understanding of patient safety at 3.33. In addition, radiologists rated their understanding of imaging costs at 2.17, while non-radiologists reported 2.32. Researchers found overall radiologists classified their understanding of imaging costs, medical malpractice, healthcare policy and quality as "below competent."
"We were surprised by the results. In a time of healthcare reform, radiologists need to be ambassadors of change and must be sufficiently knowledgeable to positively guide reform both for the benefit of patients and for the future of our specialty," one study author wrote. "Our findings raise concerns that we may be insufficiently prepared for this task."
The study conducted at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia and Northwestern University in Chicago compared 711 radiologists to 2,685 non-radiology physicians. Each physician was asked to rate, on a scale of one to five, their understanding of healthcare costs and patient safety. On the scale used in the study, a rating of three was considered "competent."
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Results from the survey showed radiologists on average rated their understanding of patient safety at 3.1, while non-radiologists rated their understanding of patient safety at 3.33. In addition, radiologists rated their understanding of imaging costs at 2.17, while non-radiologists reported 2.32. Researchers found overall radiologists classified their understanding of imaging costs, medical malpractice, healthcare policy and quality as "below competent."
"We were surprised by the results. In a time of healthcare reform, radiologists need to be ambassadors of change and must be sufficiently knowledgeable to positively guide reform both for the benefit of patients and for the future of our specialty," one study author wrote. "Our findings raise concerns that we may be insufficiently prepared for this task."
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