CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY COMPARING EMERGENCY CHEST X-RAY INTERPRETATION BETWEEN EMERGENCY PHYSICIANS AND RADIOLOGISTS IN KSUMC

Background: X-ray imaging is a vital part of emergency diagnostics because of its speed, cost-effectiveness, and ability to provide critical information about a patient’s condition. This cross-sectional study assessed the competence of resident physicians in emergency and radiology departments in common emergency chest X-ray interpretation and compared the types of errors made by emergency physicians and radiologists. Background: X-ray imaging is a vital part of emergency diagnostics because of its speed, cost-effectiveness, and ability to provide critical information about a patient’s condition. This study assessed the competence of resident physicians in emergency and radiology departments in common emergency chest X-ray interpretation. In addition, it compared the types of errors made by emergency physicians and radiologists in common emergency chest X-ray interpretation Methods: This was a single-centre cross-sectional study conducted at King Khalid University Hospital among emergency and radiology physicians from July 2023 to March 2024. The data were collected through personal interviews with radiology and emergency department residents. A total of 54 radiology and emergency department residents were interviewed after being informed about the aim and methods of the study. Results: The results showed no significant differences in gender, age, residency level, occupation, or primary source of knowledge between radiology and emergency department residents. From the radiology department, 18 male residents (64.3%) and 10 female radiology residents (35.7%) were interviewed; from the emergency department, 14 male residents (53.8%) and 12 female residents (46.2%) were interviewed. In the radiology department, the primary source of knowledge was books (12 residents, 42.9%), followed by the internet (25%), experience (21.4%), and other sources (10.7%). Furthermore, the results showed no significant difference in the answers regarding tension pneumothorax X-rays between radiology and emergency residents. These findings suggest the need for improved communication and training between radiology and emergency departments to ensure the accurate and timely diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. Conclusion: Although emergency and radiology residents have similar skills in interpreting chest X-rays, improved communication is needed between departments and specialized training programs. By prioritizing these areas, healthcare professionals can ensure more accurate and timely diagnoses, thus improving the quality of care provided to patients in emergency settings.