CONCORDANCE AND DISCORDANCE BETWEEN RADIOLOGY RESIDENTS AND CONSULTANT RADIOLOGIST IN INTERPRETATION OF KNEE RADIOGRAPHS IN PATEINTS WITH KNEE PAIN

Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the level of agreement and disagreement between resident and consultant radiologists' interpretations of knee radiographs, highlighting the importance of accurate image analysis for informed clinical decisions. Methodology: This prospective study was conducted in the Radiology Department at Rehman Medical Institute over two years (November 2022 – November 2024). Four residents interpreted knee radiographs of 203 patients. Independently, four blinded consultant radiologists reviewed the same images. Agreement between the two groups was defined as concordance. Data was recorded using Microsoft Excel and analyzed with SPSS version 22. Cohen’s Kappa coefficient was used to measure the level of agreement. Results: The study found a substantial agreement between residents and consultants, with a Cohen’s Kappa value of 0.629 (p < 0.05), indicating statistically significant concordance. The overall concordance rate was 79.3%, suggesting that in nearly 8 out of 10 cases, resident interpretations matched those of consultants. Discordance was observed in 20.7% of cases, with osteoarthritis being the most frequently misinterpreted condition, often over-reported by residents. Conclusion: This study highlights a significant concordance (79.3%) between residents and consultant radiologists in knee radiograph interpretation, with a Cohen’s Kappa of 0.629. However, the 20.7% discordance underscores the need for ongoing training to enhance diagnostic accuracy, particularly in conditions like osteoarthritis. Strengthening radiology education can further improve clinical decision-making and patient care. Keywords: Knee radiographs, Diagnostic Concordance, Resident, Consultant.