[Disclosure of diagnosis in ambulatory radiology practice: expectations of patients and referring physicians]

To evaluate and compare the expectations of patients and referring physicians (RPH) regarding the disclosure of radiological diagnostic procedure (RDP) results.A written survey was performed among 594 consecutive patients (47% male, 53% female; average age 49.6 y +/- 17.2 y) undergoing diagnostic cross-sectional imaging at three different ambulatories. A separate questionnaire was sent to 149 non-radiologist RPHs (rate of return 43.6%). The Chi-square test (Pearson's) (alphaor = 0.05) and the stepwise calculation of logistic regression were used for statistical evaluation.We found that 284 (47.8%) of the patients and 38 (58.5%) of the RPHs favored the radiologist disclosing RDP results. The patients' preference was significantly influenced by age, sex and geographical location (por = 0.05). 428 (72.1%) of the patients expected immediate therapeutic recommendations. Most patients (214, 75.1%) expected to be told the diagnosis within 30 minutes, RPHs (40/61.5%) within 48 hours.Patients have high expectations with respect to radiologists. Excellent organization is mandatory to fulfill these expectations. Unrealistic expectations should be corrected in advance by an improved information policy. Since only approximately half of the patients favored the radiologist disclosing the results of RDPs, radiologists should rethink their disclosure policy. The majority of RPHs preferred disclosure of the diagnosis by the radiologist. Timely reporting of RDP results is essential.