TY - JOUR
T1 - Understanding by General Providers of the Echocardiogram Report
AU - Trang, Amanda
AU - Kampangkaew, June
AU - Fernandes, Robin
AU - Tiwana, Jasleen
AU - Misra, Arunima
AU - Hamzeh, Ihab
AU - Blaustein, Alvin
AU - Aguilar, David
AU - Shah, Tina
AU - Ballantyne, Christie
AU - Quinones, Miguel
AU - Nagueh, Sherif F.
AU - Dokanish, Hisham
AU - Virani, Salim S.
AU - Deswal, Anita
AU - Kirkpatrick, James N.
AU - Nambi, Vijay
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2019 Elsevier Inc.
PY - 2019/7/15
Y1 - 2019/7/15
N2 - Echocardiograms are the second most frequently utilized cardiac test after electrocardiograms and are most commonly ordered by noncardiology providers. Echocardiogram reports are designed to communicate a comprehensive interpretation of cardiac function; however, it is not known how well these reports are understood by ordering providers. In order to identify gaps in understanding and target potential areas for improvement, we developed a questionnaire testing various topics reported on a standard transthoracic echocardiogram report. This questionnaire was administered to general medicine and cardiology trainees and attending physicians at 2 large academic institutions. Questionnaire response rate was 81%. There were several topics that were not well understood by general providers; these included viability of an akinetic region, pulmonary artery systolic pressure, left ventricular filling pressure, recognition of abnormal structures, and method of identifying of intracardiac thrombus. In conclusion, strategies such as improved communication techniques and adjustment of reporting format should be implemented to increase the clinical value of the echocardiogram.
AB - Echocardiograms are the second most frequently utilized cardiac test after electrocardiograms and are most commonly ordered by noncardiology providers. Echocardiogram reports are designed to communicate a comprehensive interpretation of cardiac function; however, it is not known how well these reports are understood by ordering providers. In order to identify gaps in understanding and target potential areas for improvement, we developed a questionnaire testing various topics reported on a standard transthoracic echocardiogram report. This questionnaire was administered to general medicine and cardiology trainees and attending physicians at 2 large academic institutions. Questionnaire response rate was 81%. There were several topics that were not well understood by general providers; these included viability of an akinetic region, pulmonary artery systolic pressure, left ventricular filling pressure, recognition of abnormal structures, and method of identifying of intracardiac thrombus. In conclusion, strategies such as improved communication techniques and adjustment of reporting format should be implemented to increase the clinical value of the echocardiogram.
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U2 - 10.1016/j.amjcard.2019.04.022
DO - 10.1016/j.amjcard.2019.04.022
M3 - Article
C2 - 31104774
AN - SCOPUS:85065794590
SN - 0002-9149
VL - 124
SP - 296
EP - 302
JO - American Journal of Cardiology
JF - American Journal of Cardiology
IS - 2
ER -