Background

To improve hospital radiology departments, it is essential to understand how doctors of other specialties interact with those in the radiology department. Radiology departments are expanding, becoming more specialised, and integrated into other areas of the healthcare system. As a result, the ability of a radiology department to deliver safe, punctual, and efficient care is becoming more and more dependent on input from clinicians in other specialties.

Objective

It is the responsibility of radiology departments to regularly audit their performance and take corrective action if any flaws are found. Although patient satisfaction surveys are frequently distributed, it is rare to ask doctors in other specialties about their interactions with various departments. This survey's objective was to evaluate factors which influence how doctors interact and feel about all facets of radiology services, including neuroradiology and interventional services.

Methods

An electronic survey was circulated to all doctors within the hospital network at a District General Hospital. This survey used a 5-point Likert scale for quantitative data collection and free-text entry for qualitative data collection.

Results

85 doctors representing the various hospital specialties responded to the survey. They ranged from foundation year 1 doctors to consultants. The most frequently reported factor which influenced doctors' satisfaction with the radiology department was generally the attitude and accessibility of individual radiologists. Moreover, the ability to arrange various imaging modalities, requesting urgent scans and frequency of multi-disciplinary meetings were additional factors with a profound effect on satisfaction. Most doctors stated that COVID-19 did not appear to have a detrimental effect on radiological services, which is reassuring.

Conclusions

Overall, approachability and accessibility of radiologists was the most discussed factor influencing satisfaction. This survey led to the implementation of several departmental changes. To enhance communication, the department's radiologists were all enrolled in the "Civility Saves Lives" course. In addition, new pathways are being designed to simplify urgent scan requests. Additional teaching sessions for junior doctors are also being arranged. A prospective re-audit is planned for 2023.