10779/rcsi.10771460.v1 Timothy E. Murray Timothy E. Murray S D. Ma S D. Frank Doyle Frank Doyle Michael J. Lee Michael J. Lee Radiology reporting of obesity: a survey of patient and clinician attitudes. Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland 2019 Radiology Obesity Survey Patient Clinician Attitudes Psychology and Cognitive Sciences not elsewhere classified 2019-11-23 10:34:19 Journal contribution https://repository.rcsi.com/articles/journal_contribution/Radiology_reporting_of_obesity_a_survey_of_patient_and_clinician_attitudes_/10771460 <p><strong>AIM:</strong> To determine whether obesity information obtained via imaging techniques is desirable for clinicians and patients, and to investigate whether it impacts clinical decision-making.</p> <p><strong>MATERIALS AND METHODS:</strong> Parallel surveys were designed to assess patient and clinician attitudes to the medical utility and social stigma of reporting obesity on radiology reports performed for other reasons.</p> <p><strong>RESULTS:</strong> Where obesity was noted at medical imaging performed for any reason, clinicians and patients strongly agreed that it should be included in the radiology report (5.9 and 5.8, respectively, on a seven-point preference score ranging from strongly disagree [1] to strongly agree [7]). Clinicians and patients indicated a preference for a quantitative report. Clinicians somewhat disagreed and patients disagreed that a radiology report describing obesity would be considered insulting (3 and 2.1, respectively). Clinicians and patients agreed that they would be more likely to discuss overweight/obesity if it was described in a radiology report (5.3 and 6.1 respectively). Clinicians and patients agreed that radiology reports describing obesity would influence future management/behaviour (4.5 and 6.2, respectively). Clinicians strongly disagreed that they would avoid sending patients for scans if obesity was reported (1.3). Patients also disagreed that including such information on a report would result in imaging avoidance (1.9).</p> <p><strong>CONCLUSION:</strong> Both clinicians and patients indicate a clear preference for obesity-related information on radiology reports for examinations performed for any reason. Surveyed attitudes suggest including such information is not considered insulting, and is unlikely to result in avoidance of imaging.</p>