Introduction

Abstract

Radiologists should ensure that patients coming for gastrointestinal (GI) radiology procedures receive an adequate description of the procedure that they are about to undergo. This should have been done initially by the referring physician, but when the patient arrives for the examination the technician will usually describe the major points such as drinking of liquids, tilting of the table, and the possibility of an injection that may cause temporary blurring of vision. For courtesy’s sake, the radiologist should repeat briefly the highlights of the examination and ask whether the patient has any questions. It is wise, in addition, to confirm the salient points of the history and elicit any other important information. For example, if the requisition states that the patient has difficulty swallowing, it is helpful to establish whether it is a transport or transfer problem; that is, can the patient initiate a swallow satisfactorily although the food then gets stuck in the throat, or is the patient aware that he is not able to transfer the food from the mouth to the gullet. The technician should introduce the radiologist by name, because many patients leave a radiology department not knowing the name of the doctor who has examined them.