Clinical audits: the European Society of Radiology Perspective

ESR communication guidelines for radiologists

These guidelines are an educational tool designed to assist the radiologist in providing effective communication and a high standard of care to patients. High quality care is heavily dependent on clear communication for thorough understanding of procedure outcomes and further treatment decisions. Radiologists should encourage communication and interaction between physicians through concise discussions to minimise the risk of communication error. The sole purpose of these guidelines is to provide helpful information to radiologists on how to conduct an effective discussion between patients, referrers, colleagues, and students. Main Messages • Effective communication is a critical component of diagnostic imaging.• Communication methods are dynamic and varied.• Concise communication techniques reduce error and increase coherence.