Clinico-radiological meetings: are they worthwhile?

The proceedings of 22 clinico-radiological meetings were analysed in order to assess some aspects of their benefits and cost. The mean duration of each meeting was 30.4 min. On average, the clinical and radiological details of eight patients were discussed at each meeting. The mean number of changes in the leading diagnosis was 1.6 per meeting, and a mean of 1.9 management decisions were made. A mean of 1.6 further radiological tests were recommended, offset by a mean of 0.7 scheduled investigations which were deemed no longer necessary. The cost of the salaries of the staff attending each meeting amounted to 73.82 pounds. Thus the cost of a revised leading diagnosis was calculated at 46.14 pounds whilst that of a management decision came to 38.85 pounds. The assumed educational benefits of these meetings and inevitable lost opportunity costs were not analysed.