AJR Podcasts Follow-up Recommendations: AJR Podcast Series on Diagnostic Excellence and Error, Episode 9
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Feb 26, 2025 
Neena Kapoor, a radiologist and assistant professor at Harvard Medical School, discusses vital aspects of follow-up recommendations in radiology. She highlights the challenges of adherence and the variability in reporting. The conversation stresses the importance of system-based solutions, like innovative tracking tools and safety net teams, to enhance patient care. Kapoor emphasizes clearer communication among healthcare professionals and the critical role of standardized procedures in reducing diagnostic errors and improving safety.
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Malpractice Story Highlights Follow-up
- A medical student had a widened mediastinum on chest X-ray before surgery.
- The abnormal finding was missed, and years later diagnosed as Hodgkin's lymphoma, leading to a malpractice case.
Challenges in Follow-up Adherence
- Over one third of radiologists' follow-up imaging recommendations are not acted upon.
- Barriers include misunderstanding, disagreement, and lack of tracking in complex healthcare systems.
Variability in Recommendations
- Radiologists use follow-up recommendations to manage diagnostic uncertainty.
- Recommendations vary widely and are sometimes unclear, complicating next steps for clinicians.