Ro. Redfern et al., From being a radiologist to watching a radiologist: Impact of filmless operation on the training of radiology residents, ACAD RADIOL, 8(11), 2001, pp. 1154-1158
Rationale and Objectives. The authors per-formed this study to investigate
the impact of changing from a film-based image interpretation system to one
using digital image workstations on the training of radiology residents in
the interpretation of radiographs.
Materials and Methods. Data were collected during a period when a conventio
nal system of image interpretation with hard-copy images and multiviewers w
as used and during a period when digital image workstations were used. Duri
ng each period, it was noted whether the first interpretation of the radiog
raphs was performed by a radiology resident, by an attending radiologist, o
r as a group effort including both an attending radiologist and a radiology
resident(s). In addition, it was noted whether a radiology resident or an
attending radiologist dictated the report.
Results. The proportion of images first interpreted by the radiology reside
nt alone decreased from 38% (53 of 139) when using the conventional system
to 17% (34 of 199) after the switch to interpreting images on the workstati
ons (P = .001). During the film-based period, radiology residents dictated
45% of reports (141 of 312), but during the workstation period, radiology r
esidents dictated only 4% of reports (24 of 667; P = .001).
Conclusion. The authors observed a decrease in autonomous participation by
radiology residents in image interpretation and dictation of reports and an
increase in "group reading" after the switch from a film-based system to a
workstation system.