The results of this investigation indicated that there was a decrease in the autonomous and active participation by radiology residents in the image interpretation and reporting process following the change to digital image workstations. In 1997, a prospective cohort study investigated the impact of changing from a film-based image interpretation system to one using PACS workstations on the training of radiology residents. In 1992, the potential applications of PACS for education and research were described including the benefits of using PACS to create an automated digital teaching file. Īlthough the effect of PACS on the health care system has been extensively studied, the effect of PACS on radiology resident education has been minimally addressed.
Training in PACS should instruct attendings and residents on the basics of image and report retrieval and on the various workstation tools to enhance image interpretation and resident education. However, many radiology departments may not provide the resources for effective training programs. To optimize learning and efficiency, residents must acquire PACS skills early and consistently throughout their training. Resident education at the PACS workstation must compete with this increased work flow. For the radiologist, PACS facilitates the interpretation of radiologic studies in less time than with analog imaging, thereby increasing work flow. The benefits derived from PACS are extensive and positively affect health care by reducing costs, improving efficiency, and enhancing patient care. Residents believe that voice recognition is less reliable and more time consuming than the traditional dictation system.ĭigital imaging and the picture archiving and communication system (PACS) continue to replace conventional radiographic film.
Conclusions: Residents believe that PACS has positively affected their learning experience but indicate that it can be better utilized for resident education. A majority (80.6%, 25/31) indicated that voice recognition takes more time than the traditional dictation and transcription process, where 51.3% (20/39, 51.3%) felt that voice recognition works well less than 50% of the time. The majority of respondents believed PACS have decreased the time needed to interpret diagnostic examinations (33/41, 80.5%). However, only a minority (9/40, 22.5%) indicated that PACS was always used to contain teaching files and to conduct departmental conferences (5/40, 12.5%). A majority believed PACS is a superior teaching tool to printed film (28/38, 73.7%). The majority have been using PACS for more than 1 year (29/41, 70.7%) to interpret 75–100% of cases (33/39, 84.6%). Results: One hundred thirty-four residents were polled with 42 respondents (42/134, 31.3%). Survey topics included resident demographics, didactic and technical issues, and areas for improvement. Materials and Methods: Residents at four diagnostic radiology training programs were surveyed. Because of concerns that the increase in exam throughput and the use of voice recognition may have a negative impact upon radiology resident education, a survey was conducted to assess the impact of PACS and voice recognition.
Rationale and Objectives: The introduction of picture archiving and communication system (PACS) has decreased the time needed to interpret radiology examinations resulting in an increased workflow.