Seth Joshua Berkowitz, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

David Andrew Glazier MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Jonathan B. Kruskal MD, PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Author, UpToDate, Inc

Radiology teaching files traditionally contain key images with annotations and captions. Static images show the features of a given diagnosis, but do not adequately prepare one to interpret an exam with hundreds, or even thousands, of images. We have designed a cross-browser web application for building and viewing interactive teaching files that simulates the experience of using a PACS workstation under the instruction of an experienced radiologist.

A collection of 71 cases was created to prepare our 10 first-year radiology residents for their pre-call exam. Cases were viewed in our custom web application, complete with image scrolling, zoom, pan, and windowing capability. Average case rating (1 through 5) was 4.6. The average time spent viewing each case was 159s.

Existing educational resources cannot capture the experience of learning at a workstation with a seasoned radiologist. Our teaching file was designed to emulate this personal experience in an e-learning tool. Images can be viewed blindly or with descriptive annotations. Text captions are unambiguously linked with their image annotation through color highlighting. Key images are presented in the context of the image stack, encouraging exploration of findings on multiple slices and planes. Annotations of a common structure can be combined in a set and connected via hyperlinks to the findings text. The application enables study retrieval from PACS, automatic anonymization, connection of multiple imaging studies, and markup of images.

Our web based teaching file allows radiologists to build a rich layer of instructive metadata over the full set of images within an exam to facilitate asynchronous learning of image interpretation. By interacting with the complete data set, users actively hone their search patterns, visualize pathology in multiple dimensions, and increase their speed of exam evaluation. This clinically relevant teaching tool will appeal to life-long learners of radiology and is translatable beyond residency to maintenance of certification exam practice and continuing medical education.

http://abstract.rsna.org/uploads/2014/14006798/14006798_dso8.jpg

Berkowitz, S, Glazier, D, Kruskal, J, Interactive Web Application for Asynchronous Active Learning in Radiology.  Radiological Society of North America 2014 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, - ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2014/14006798.html