Roberto Luigi Cazzato1, Gianluca de Rubeis2, Pierre de Marini3, Pierre Auloge3, Danoob Dalili4, Julia Weiss3, Guillaume Koch3, Pramod Prabhakar Rao5, Emanuele Boatta3, Julien Garnon3, Afshin Gangi3. 1. Department of Interventional Radiology, University Hospital of Strasbourg, 1 place de l'hôpital, BP 426, 67091, Strasbourg, Cedex, France. roberto-luigi.cazzato@chru-strasbourg.fr. 2. Vascular and Interventional Radiology Unit, Department of Diagnostic Radiological, Oncological and Anatomopathological Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico, 155, 00161, Rome, Italy. 3. Department of Interventional Radiology, University Hospital of Strasbourg, 1 place de l'hôpital, BP 426, 67091, Strasbourg, Cedex, France. 4. Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Westminster Bridge Rd, Bishop's, London, SE1 7EH, UK. 5. Department of Interventional Radiology, Civil Hospital of Colmar, 39 Avenue de la Liberté, 68024, Colmar, France.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To retrospectively analyze our interventional radiology outpatient clinics (IROC) for referral patterns, impact on interventional practice, and patient satisfaction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Consultations performed between 2011 and 2019 were extracted. The two consecutive years with the highest number of consultations (n2018 = 1426; n2019 = 1595) were compared for unattended consultations (i.e., scheduled consultations with patients not showing-up); initial/follow-up consultations; hospital clinician/general practitioner referrals; initial consultations with radiologists not recommending interventions; procedural conversion rate (PCR; i.e., No. initial consultations resulting in interventions over the total number of initial consultations performed for the same clinical indication). A survey was conducted in 159 patients to determine their satisfaction. RESULTS: Consultations increased from 2011 to 2019 by 130%. In 2018-2019, the number of unattended consultations was stable (7.0% vs 6.6%; P = .68). The referrals were for back pain (42.2%), interventional oncology (40.5%), and arteriovenous malformations (9.0%). For back pain, in 2019, there were fewer consultations with radiologists not recommending interventions and increased PCR compared to 2018 (11.9% vs. 17.7%; 88.1% vs. 82.3%; respectively; P = .01). For interventional oncology, follow-up consultations and general practitioner referrals increased in 2019 compared to 2018 (43.0% vs 35.3%; P = .01; 24.4% vs. 12.7%; P < .01; respectively). No other changes were noted. Cumulative 2018-2019 PCR was ≥ 85.4%. 99.2% responders highly appreciated their IROC experience. Quality of secretarial and medical services were the main aspects evaluated to rate the experience with IROC. CONCLUSION: IROC results in high PCR. Recent changes in referral/impact on IR practice were noted with patients referred for back pain and interventional oncology. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: Level 4, Case Series.
PURPOSE: To retrospectively analyze our interventional radiology outpatient clinics (IROC) for referral patterns, impact on interventional practice, and patient satisfaction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Consultations performed between 2011 and 2019 were extracted. The two consecutive years with the highest number of consultations (n2018 = 1426; n2019 = 1595) were compared for unattended consultations (i.e., scheduled consultations with patients not showing-up); initial/follow-up consultations; hospital clinician/general practitioner referrals; initial consultations with radiologists not recommending interventions; procedural conversion rate (PCR; i.e., No. initial consultations resulting in interventions over the total number of initial consultations performed for the same clinical indication). A survey was conducted in 159 patients to determine their satisfaction. RESULTS: Consultations increased from 2011 to 2019 by 130%. In 2018-2019, the number of unattended consultations was stable (7.0% vs 6.6%; P = .68). The referrals were for back pain (42.2%), interventional oncology (40.5%), and arteriovenous malformations (9.0%). For back pain, in 2019, there were fewer consultations with radiologists not recommending interventions and increased PCR compared to 2018 (11.9% vs. 17.7%; 88.1% vs. 82.3%; respectively; P = .01). For interventional oncology, follow-up consultations and general practitioner referrals increased in 2019 compared to 2018 (43.0% vs 35.3%; P = .01; 24.4% vs. 12.7%; P < .01; respectively). No other changes were noted. Cumulative 2018-2019 PCR was ≥ 85.4%. 99.2% responders highly appreciated their IROC experience. Quality of secretarial and medical services were the main aspects evaluated to rate the experience with IROC. CONCLUSION: IROC results in high PCR. Recent changes in referral/impact on IR practice were noted with patients referred for back pain and interventional oncology. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: Level 4, Case Series.