Experience with implementation of a radiology speech recognition system

Recent advances in speech recognition technology have allowed development o f computer systems for real-time radiologist-driven generation of reports. The transition to a speech recognition system is a technically complex proc ess with many potential pitfalls that can decrease efficiency and disrupt w orkflow. In our recent experience with installation of such a system in an academic radiology department, factors that have worked against optimal per formance have included environmental logistics, hardware incompatibilities, radiology information system interface problems, lack of suitable training , and inadequate technical support. Communication of our experience is inte nded to allow radiologists to anticipate complications of these systems and make informed decisions regarding the feasibility of such a system in thei r practices. With this information, potential buyers should be able to care fully scrutinize specifications for prospective systems and, by avoiding ma ny of the possible pitfalls, make an easier transition to a speech recognit ion environment. Copyright (C) 2000 by W.B. Saunders Company.