New research adds support for structured reporting

[Chuck Kahn]

Two new articles in the radiology literature add to our understanding
of the value of structured (template-based) radiology reporting.



(1) Improving Communication of Diagnostic Radiology Findings through
Structured Reporting
http://radiology.rsna.org/cgi/content/abstract/radiol.11101913v1

Lawrence H. Schwartz, David M. Panicek, Alexandra R. Berk, Yuelin Li,
and Hedvig Hricak
Radiology, published 25 April 2011. doi: 10.1148/radiol.11101913

Physicians displayed significantly greater satisfaction with the
content and clarity of structured reports than with the content and
clarity of conventional reports.



(2) The Radiology Report as Seen by Radiologists and Referring
Clinicians: Results of the COVER and ROVER Surveys
http://radiology.rsna.org/content/259/1/184.abstract

Jan M. L. Bosmans, Joost J. Weyler, Arthur M. De Schepper, and Paul M.
Parizel
Radiology, April 2011; 259:184-195; Published online January 11,
2011. doi:10.1148/radiol.10101045

Radiologists as well as clinicians agreed that image interpretation is
best left to radiologists, that itemized reporting is the way of the
future, that the use of standardized language should be encouraged,
and that learning to report should be implemented in the training of
radiologists.