Garry Clearwater

Interpreting X-rays

An overview of X-ray interpretation aimed at doctors or nurses in EDs, rural practices and Accident & Medical clinics who order acute X-rays that they have to interpret themselves before a radiologist report is available.

The talk will address:

• general principles of interpretation: how to find an abnormality and

what to look for;
• some commonly-missed subtle abnormalities in limb X-rays and

Chest –Xrays;
• how to describe an abnormality in the notes and for situations where the films need to be discussed over the phone.

Biography: Dr Garry Clearwater is an Emergency Medicine specialist who works full-time in two metropolitan Emergency Departments at Waitemata DHB.

His previous experience includes being a semi-rural General Practitioner in the Bay of Plenty between 1986-1991. He has worked in Accident & Medical Clinics for several years as a Medical Officer, director, advisor and auditor. He was a Senior Lecturer in the Goodfellow Unit between 1995 and 1998, helping to establish the Diploma in Community Emergency Medicine which is now a core element for qualification in Accident & Medical vocational training.

The Department of Emergency Medicine at Waitemeta DHB employs more than 40 doctors and serves a catchment population of over 500,000 people. X-ray interpretation is a core skill and review of errors is an important component of his role as Quality Assurance Co-ordinator. Garry has an interest in medico-legal issues and is an Emergency Medicine advisor to the Health & Disability Commissioner.