Kenneth Crane BS, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Barton F. Branstetter MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Stephen Thomas MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Paul Joseph Chang MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

The value of diagnostic imaging reports can be increased by encapsulating radiographic images into the final document. Using traditional authoring tools, however, this would be a prohibitively time-intensive task. We have developed an integrated document authoring system (IDAS) that permits the incorporation of radiographic images during the dictation process. The purpose of this study was to determine whether IDAS would negatively impact the productivity and efficiency of radiologists in a clinical setting.

We performed a workflow analysis of the authoring and finalizing of diagnostic radiology reports. Using this model, we constructed software to measure the efficiency of both initial authoring and finalization of reports in an actual academic practice. Radiologists in four subspecialties, reading three different modalities, were evaluated when using IDAS and when using traditional authoring and finalizing tools. These results were compared in pair-wise fashion, as each radiologist participated in both arms of the study.

The impact of multimedia reporting on authoring efficiency was minimal. Although the selection of the most effective supporting image often required additional time, the capturing and incorporation of the image was seamless with respect to the dictation process, and no substantial differences in authoring efficiency was identified. The efficiency of the finalization process for the radiologist was actually improved because of the custom editing tools that were designed to support multimedia reports.

Authoring multimedia documents has minimal impact on radiologist efficiency when using software that is deeply integrated with the PACS environment, and custom authoring tools. The resulting multimedia reports are of greater value to referring clinicians than traditional text reports.

K.C.,B.F.B.,P.J.C.: Laboratory Support from Stentor, Inc., DARPA, NLM, NIH, US Air Force

Crane, K, Branstetter, B, Thomas, S, Chang, P, Zero-Penalty Multimedia Authoring: How to Incorporate Images into Your Report without Slowing Down.  Radiological Society of North America 2005 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 27 - December 2, 2005 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2005/4417841.html