Roy Kwak MD, Presenter: Founder, Medocratic LLC CEO, Medocratic LLC

Steve Do, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

The creation and rapid adoption of RadsBest, proves the need for Radiology decision support. Aggregate user data can provide insights into the utilization of management guidelines by practicing Radiologists.

As part of the focus on quality within Radiology, Radiologists have been encouraged to create more actionable reports with consistent management recommendations based on published guidelines and consensus statements. There are hurdles to incorporating these guidelines. A mobile decision support tool was recently developed for Radiologists called RadsBest. It allows Radiologists to navigate many of these guidelines and recommendations very easily. We evaluate the early adoption of this technology and how users are utilizing the application in clinical practice.  

Within the app, users choose a specific tool applicable to the clinical scenario. Then they tap through a few questions. The recommendations are output on the next screen and can be used verbatim, or modified, based on the users expertise. All content is based on major publications relevant to the management of radiologic findings. The app collects generic aggregated information about how users are utilizing the application. On average, there has been approximately 104 new user accounts created per month since the app was initially released. The app is opened 2.71 (+/-0.52) per month by each active user. The distribution of activity is skewed toward a smaller subset of users. The five most frequently utilized tools were (decreasing order) guidelines for thyroid nodules, asymptomatic ovarian cysts, solitary pulmonary nodules, incidental adrenal mass, and asymptomatic liver mass.  

Early adoption rates supports the existence of demand for tools such as this. Although there is a high level of early engagement, the majority of users are not considered "active users". Amongst "active users" there appears to be a subset of "power users" who use the application frequently. The relative popularity of the individual tools may provide insight into the the prevalence of the imaging finding, characteristics of the guideline, and/or the effectiveness of the app for that guideline.

Kwak, R, Do, S, Adoption of a Mobile Clinical Decision Support Tool for Radiologists.  Radiological Society of North America 2014 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, - ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2014/14016991.html