A LEARNING TOOL IN MEDICAL IMAGING - USING PROCEDURE GRAPHS IN RADIOGRAPHIC PROCESS SIMULATION

Teaching the procedural elements of imaging protocols and understandin g the interrelationships and interdependencies of diagnostic X-ray sys tem parameters and their effects on image quality, are among the main objectives of medical imaging training programs. A reaching tool is de signed and implemented to support these goals. Tool design is influenc ed by hybrid learning system architectures and it is based on a graph approach, which is described. Implementation is carried out using a hy permedia development environment (Toolbook) coupled with a database (P aradox). The core of the system is an attributed priority graph, capab le of supporting the organization of the domain knowledge, monitoring of user-machine interaction and managing the user-system dialogue. Use of this approach resulted in an interactive simulation tool, which pr ovides computer aided learning support, to radiology related personnel , such as radiologists and radiographers. The potential value of the t ool is not restricted only to didactic tasks, but may include trouble- shooting and documentation.