Impact of PACS on the education of radiology residents: The residents' perspective

Rationale and Objectives. Because digital imaging and the picture archiving and communication system (PACS) are replacing radiographic film, the effec t of PACS on residents' perceptions and their educational experience was in vestigated. Materials and Methods. Residents taking part in large diagnostic radiology training programs at two hospitals were surveyed. Approximately 75% of radi ographic studies were reviewed with the use of PACS at both hospitals. Surv ey topics included technical and didactic issues based on direct and indire ct comparison with analog (conventional film) images. Results. Fifty residents were polled (20 respondents). The majority has bee n using PACS for more than 1 year (14 of 20, 70%) to interpret 75%-100% of cases (11 of 20, 55%). The majority believed that PACS improved patient car e (15 of 20, 75%) and their educational experience (15 of 20, 75%). A minor ity believed that increased patient throughput was harmful to the education al experience (five of 20. 25%) because it permitted attending radiologists to review cases too quickly (four of 20, 20%). Residents favored PACS over hard-copy images for ease of manipulation, resolution. and ability to see pathologic conditions and normal anatomic characteristics. Conclusion. Residents believe that PACS has positively affected their learn ing experience and does not negatively affect the quality of resident educa tion.