Interventional Radiology Outpatient Clinics (IROC): Clinical Impact and Patient Satisfaction.

Purpose: To retrospectively analyze our interventional radiology outpatient clinics (IROC) for referral patterns, impact on interventional practice, and patient satisfaction.

Materials And Methods: Consultations performed between 2011 and 2019 were extracted. The two consecutive years with the highest number of consultations (n = 1426; n = 1595) were compared for unattended consultations (i.e., scheduled consultations with patients not showing-up); initial/follow-up consultations; hospital clinician/general practitioner referrals; initial consultations with radiologists not recommending interventions; procedural conversion rate (PCR; i.e., No. initial consultations resulting in interventions over the total number of initial consultations performed for the same clinical indication). A survey was conducted in 159 patients to determine their satisfaction.

Results: Consultations increased from 2011 to 2019 by 130%. In 2018-2019, the number of unattended consultations was stable (7.0% vs 6.6%; P = .68). The referrals were for back pain (42.2%), interventional oncology (40.5%), and arteriovenous malformations (9.0%). For back pain, in 2019, there were fewer consultations with radiologists not recommending interventions and increased PCR compared to 2018 (11.9% vs. 17.7%; 88.1% vs. 82.3%; respectively; P = .01). For interventional oncology, follow-up consultations and general practitioner referrals increased in 2019 compared to 2018 (43.0% vs 35.3%; P = .01; 24.4% vs. 12.7%; P < .01; respectively). No other changes were noted. Cumulative 2018-2019 PCR was ≥ 85.4%. 99.2% responders highly appreciated their IROC experience. Quality of secretarial and medical services were the main aspects evaluated to rate the experience with IROC.

Conclusion: IROC results in high PCR. Recent changes in referral/impact on IR practice were noted with patients referred for back pain and interventional oncology.

Level Of Evidence Iv: Level 4, Case Series.