Differences in time to interpretation for evaluation of bone radiographs with monitor and film viewing.
OBJECTIVE
The authors evaluated how observers search hard-copy versus soft-copy images to determine why viewing times are longer for images displayed on a monitor.


METHODS
Twenty-seven nonconsecutive bone-trauma computed radiographs were collected from the routine emergency practice. Eye positions of three bone radiologists and three orthopedic surgeons were recorded as they searched images on a view box and digital images at a workstation.


RESULTS
Overall viewing time was longer for images displayed on a monitor. Time to first fixate a lesion and true-negative dwell times were significantly longer with the monitor than with the film. Absolute numbers of clusters and dwell times were greater for diagnostic image areas on the monitor than on the film. Twenty percent of the clusters for images viewed on the monitor were on the image-processing menu.


CONCLUSIONS
The amount and type of information that is processed during search is different when images are viewed on a monitor rather than on film.
Krupinski
E A
EA
Department of Radiology, University of Arizona, Tucson 85724, USA.
Lund
P J
PJ
D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000293:injuries; D016288:Computer Terminals; D003626:Data Display; D005403:Fixation, Ocular; D006801:Humans; D011873:Radiology Information Systems; D013996:Time and Motion Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014962:X-Ray Film