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European Radiology

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01-08-2016 | Health Economy

Portrayal of radiology in a major medical television series: How does it influence the perception of radiology among patients and radiology professionals?

Authors: T. Heye, E. M. Merkle, J. R. Leyendecker, D. T. Boll, R. T. Gupta

Published in: European Radiology | Issue 8/2016

Abstract

Objectives

To assess how the portrayal of Radiology on medical TV shows is perceived by patients and radiology professionals.

Methods

In this IRB-approved study with patient consent waived, surveys were conducted among adult patients scheduled for radiological examinations and radiology professionals. The questionnaire investigated medical TV watching habits including interest in medical TV shows, appearance of radiological examination/staff, radiology’s role in diagnosis-making, and rating of the shows’ accuracy in portraying radiology relative to reality.

Results

One hundred and twenty-six patients and 240 professionals (133 technologists, 107 radiologists) participated. 63.5 % patients and 63.2 % technologists rated interest in medical TV shows ≥5 (scale 1-10) versus 38.3 % of radiologists. All groups noted regular (every 2nd/3rd show) to >1/show appearance of radiological examinations in 58.5-88.2 % compared to 21.0-46.2 % for radiological staff appearance. Radiology played a role in diagnosis-making regularly to >1/show in 45.3-52.6 %. There is a positive correlation for interest in medical TV and the perception that radiology is accurately portrayed for patients (r = 0.49; P = 0.001) and technologists (r = 0.38; P = 0.001) but not for radiologists (r = 0.01).

Conclusions

The majority of patients perceive the portrayed content as accurate. Radiologists should be aware of this cultivation effect to understand their patients’ behaviour which may create false expectations towards radiological examinations and potential safety hazards.

Key points

• Radiology in medical TV shows is conveyed as important in diagnosis making

• Presence of radiological staff is less frequent compared to examinations shown

• Positive correlation for interest in medical TV and radiology perceived as accurate

• TV experience may create false expectations and potential safety hazards

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Title: Portrayal of radiology in a major medical television series: How does it influence the perception of radiology among patients and radiology professionals?
Authors: T. Heye
E. M. Merkle
J. R. Leyendecker
D. T. Boll
R. T. Gupta
Publication date: 01-08-2016
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: European Radiology / Issue 8/2016
Print ISSN: 0938-7994
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1084
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-015-4079-3

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Portrayal of radiology in a major medical television series: How does it influence the perception of radiology among patients and radiology professionals?

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Key points

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Key points

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