Charles T. Lau MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Ahmed El-Sherief MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Joseph Thomas Azok MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Jason K. Lempel MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Ruchi Yadav MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Rahul Dinkar Renapurkar MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

BACKGROUND Traditionally, radiologists and healthcare providers seeking to consult or discuss imaging studies with each other found it necessary to be in the same location at the same time. With the proliferation of picture archiving and communication systems (PACS) since the 1990’s, the constraints of geography and space upon imaging consultation and discussion have generally disappeared for colleagues working at a shared medical institution. However, colleagues working in different institutions continue to be hampered – though increasingly less so, with the advent of popular online conferencing solutions.

EVALUATION The communal evaluation and discussion of imaging studies is a practice that dates practically as far back as the field of radiology itself. This can occur whenever an individual seeks the opinion of a more experienced colleague, an individual seeks to educate her trainees or colleagues, or when healthcare providers embark upon a multidisciplinary discussion of a particular patient. In the last several years, online conferencing solutions have proliferated and now permit individuals to discuss imaging studies with each other from any distance and sometimes non-synchronously. This development may have far reaching effects upon the quality of radiology practice and education throughout in the world.

DISCUSSION Five popular online conferencing solutions are evaluated: Apple FaceTime, Google Hangout, Citrix GoToMeeting, Microsoft Skype, and Cisco Webex. The capabilities, strengths, and weaknesses of each solution will be discussed. Issues such as encryption/HIPAA compliance, cost, ease of use, number of participants supported, reliability, and image quality will be explored for each service.

CONCLUSION Multiple online conferencing solutions currently exist, services that permit radiologists and healthcare providers to consult and discuss imaging studies with each other, free of the bounds of geography and time. However, the strengths and weaknesses of each service vary, and solutions that work favorably in one setting may work less favorably in others.

Third-party online conferencing solutions permit healthcare providers to share and discuss imaging studies free from traditional geographical constraints; however, choosing the most optimal solution requires an understanding of each solutions' strengths and weaknesses.

Lau, C, El-Sherief, A, Azok, J, Lempel, J, Yadav, R, Renapurkar, R, A Review of Online Conferencing Solutions for Radiology Consultation and Discussion.  Radiological Society of North America 2014 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, - ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2014/14016524.html