Virtual Mentor. November 2007, Volume 9, Number 11: 735-783. Full Issue PDF

November 2007 Contents

Ethical Issues in Diagnostic Radiology

Ethics Poll

In conventional practice, radiologists report their findings to the referring physician who, in turn, informs the patient of the results and their implications. Patients should be given the option of speaking directly with the radiologist, and radiologists should be available to talk to patients.
Agree
Disagree

A cancerous tumor for which you have been successfully treated was visible as a lesion on an X-ray taken six months before you were actually diagnosed. Which of the following best describes how you would want your physician to handle this information?
I want to be told about the earlier X-ray whether or not it affected my past treatment, prognosis, or future treatment decisions.
I want to be told about this X-ray only if it affects my prognosis and future treatment decisions.
I prefer not be told about the early X-ray since the information will do nothing to alter my current health status.

If physicians have financial or business interests in diagnostic imaging facilities, the temptation to request studies that may be optional or not entirely necessary is just too great. Therefore, it should be illegal for physicians who are not diagnostic radiologists to have any financial or business interests whatsoever in imaging facilities.
Agree
Disagree

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From the Editor

Taking Full Measure of Today’s Radiologist
Lina Nayak
Full Text | PDF
Virtual Mentor. 2007; 9:737-738.

Educating for Professionalism

Clinical Cases

Outsourcing: A Limited View of Radiology’s Role
Commentary by Richard Gunderman
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Virtual Mentor. 2007; 739-741.

Disclosure and the Retrospectoscope
Commentary by Thomas H. Gallagher and R. James Brenner
Full Text | PDF
Virtual Mentor. 2007; 9:742-746.

Suspected Child Abuse
Commentary by Wilbur Smith
Full Text | PDF
Virtual Mentor. 2007; 9:747-750.

Medical Education

Radiology Residency: Home Away from Home
Sami H. Erbay
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Virtual Mentor. 2007; 9:751-753

Journal Discussion

Why Has Evidence of Error-Filled Diagnostic Medicine Not Led Changes to Within the Profession?
Rebecca Shore
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Virtual Mentor. 2007; 9:754-757.

Clinical Pearl

Breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Jeffrey B. Mendel
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Virtual Mentor. 2007; 9:758-761.

Law, Policy and Society

Health Law

Referral Schemes at Imaging Centers
Abigail Van Kempen
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Virtual Mentor. 2007; 9:762-764.

Policy Forum

Mammography Quality Standards Act: Gains and Losses in Women’s Health Care
Toby Schonfeld
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Virtual Mentor. 2007; 9:765-768.

Medicine and Society

Radiologists’ Ethical and Professional Obligations
Kay Denise Spong Lozano
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Virtual Mentor. 2007; 9:769-772.

History, Art and Narrative

Medical Narratives

The Magic of X-ray Vision
Gretchen Case
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Virtual Mentor. 2007; 9:773-775.

Resources

Suggested Readings and Resources
PDF
Virtual Mentor. 2007; 9:776-781.

About the Contributors
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Virtual Mentor. 2007; 9:782-783.