RSNA 2014 

Abstract Archives of the RSNA, 2014


HPS164

Traditional Text vs. Image and Interactive Data Embedded Multimedia Enhanced Radiology Reporting: Referring Physicians’ Perceptions about Value

Scientific Posters

Presented on December 3, 2014
Presented as part of HPS-WEA: Health Services Wednesday Poster Discussions

Participants

Gelareh Sadigh MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose
Timothy Hertweck, Abstract Co-Author: Vice President, IDR Medical GmbH
Cristine Kao, Abstract Co-Author: Employee, Carestream Health, Inc
Paul Wood BA, Abstract Co-Author: Director, IDR Medical GmbH
Danny Hughes PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose
Richard Duszak MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

PURPOSE

To evaluate referring physicians’ perceptions of multimedia enhanced radiology reporting (MERR) as an alternative to traditional text-based radiology reporting. MERR supplements text-based reports by embedding interactive hyperlinks to key images described in a radiology report and graphically plotting target lesion size and other changing objective findings longitudinally over time.

METHOD AND MATERIALS

Over a 2-week period in 2014, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, neurosurgeons and pulmonologists practicing in the United States were contacted via email and asked to complete a 22-question online survey with embedded images describing and illustrating MERR. The survey included questions about physician satisfaction with current text-based radiology reporting, and their perceptions about the value of enhanced reporting.

RESULTS

194 responding physicians met inclusion criteria (84% male, mean age 47 with mean 16 years post training, and 48% from academic medical centers). Although 78% were satisfied with the current format of received radiology reports, 79% believed MERR would represent an improvement. The most commonly reported advantages of MERR were “improved understanding of radiology findings by correlating images to text reports” (68%) and “easier access to images while monitoring progression of a disease/condition” (60%). 28% of physicians had concerns regarding MERR implementation, with the most common being “too time intensive” (15%) and “the clinic workflow does not allow itself to view reports in such a fashion” (11%). 79% of physicians indicated an increased likelihood of referring patients to and recommending peers use facilities that offer MERR.

CONCLUSION

Most specialist referring physicians believe that MERR represents an improvement over current text-based radiology reporting. Most would preferentially refer patients and peers to facilities offering enhanced reporting.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE/APPLICATION

Referring physicians indicate increased value in multimedia enhanced radiology reporting (over text only) and would preferentially refer patients to facilities offering enhanced radiologist communication.

Cite This Abstract

Sadigh, G, Hertweck, T, Kao, C, Wood, P, Hughes, D, Duszak, R, Traditional Text vs. Image and Interactive Data Embedded Multimedia Enhanced Radiology Reporting: Referring Physicians’ Perceptions about Value.  Radiological Society of North America 2014 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, - ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2014/14008853.html