[Assessment of radiological images: who is responsible?]

Abstract

This article explores the responsibility of doctors requesting radiological examination. Hereto, 215 cases were analysed, that served at the Dutch Medical Disciplinary Tribunals between January 2011 and December 2022. Case law shows that the disciplinary tribunals expect a doctor to look at the images himself, just like the radiologist, to read the radiological report, to critically compare the findings with the clinical presentation, and to have a low-threshold in communication with the radiologist in case of a discrepancy and to discuss the findings with the patient. Case law shows several exceptions to this rule.