Communication in cancer radiology

Diagnostic radiologists are often the first to know of a patient’s medical diagnosis, disease progression, or response to treatment. Communicating this information to both the referring physician and often directly to the patient has become increasingly important as the role of radiologists in patient care has evolved. As technology advances, and the field of radiology extends beyond the interpretation of diagnostic imaging into that of intervention and treatment, timely and clear communication of imaging results, limitations of radiology examinations, and the risks associated with image-guided interventional and therapeutic procedures is a priority. Instituting structured reporting, reporting lexicons, and formal communication skills training for radiologists are a few measures that radiologists can take to improve communication in the field. Such efforts to improve communication in radiology are integral components to enhancing and expanding the role of radiologists in patient care.