Abstract
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.
Riassunto
Nel presente testo vengono discussi gli aspetti relativi alla comunicazione medico-paziente in radiologia: le origini, i vantaggi, gli aspetti etici e legali. Il radiologo sta assumendo in questi ultimi decenni responsabilità sempre maggiori nei confronti del paziente e della società. Il paziente, sempre più informato e consapevole, ha diritto di conoscere il prima possibile la diagnosi e desidera avere dal radiologo quante più informazioni possibili. Questo implica tutta una serie di ripercussioni sulla pratica professionale di tipo organizzativo, legale, etico e formativo. Una migliore interrelazione con il paziente contribuisce a edificare un rapporto di fiducia più intimo con il medico radiologo che risulterà più motivato nell’espletamento delle sue funzioni. Finora il radiologo non risulta sufficientemente preparato per fornire la diagnosi direttamente e verbalmente al paziente, specie se si tratta di diagnosi sfavorevoli. Viene enfatizzata la necessità di una preparazione più specifica ed eminentemente pratica, imprescindibile negli sviluppi futuri della disciplina.
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Bazzocchi, M. Doctor-patient communication in radiology: a great opportunity for future radiology. Radiol med 117, 339–353 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11547-012-0800-6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11547-012-0800-6