When the patient asks for the results of her mammogram, how should the radiologist reply?

Abstract

More and more, the patient expects the radiologist to answer her questions about the results of her mammogram. Yet many radiologists are concerned about the way they should reply. Many radiologists are unsure what the referring physicians would want them to say and what other radiologists would consider appropriate. In this continuing attempt to redefine radiologists' responsibilities and their changing roles, the radiologist and the referring physician too often omit the key factor in every medical equation: what the patient wants.