Though lips may move, no one is listening

June 3, 2008 Diagnostic Imaging. Though lips may move, no one is listening You can lead a horse to water, but don't try to tell it not to drink before an exam BY BRADLEY M. TIPLER, M.D. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For as long as I can remember, both the American College of Radiology and the RSNA have emphasized communicating with patients. Personal contact and face time are the best ways. Clearly written instruction sheets, detailed descriptions of procedures, videotapes of complex interventions, and websites offering even more information are also available. In the case of mammography, the government has even mandated that a result letter be given to every patient. I have embraced this approach for years in my practice. Communication is great, but there is a fly in the ointment—people ignore it. I spend about half my workdays in our women's imaging center. I use the term "our" loosely, since the hospital owns it and we staff it. About 12 years ago, my partners and I designed and were going to open the first women's center in our area, as the hospital wasn't interested. At the last moment, the hospital board asked us to let them do it instead. In return, we would have an exclusive contract for all radiology services at our new regional hospital.

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