Creation of a software application for the clinical radiologist.
OBJECTIVE
To create a software application that automates a significant portion of a clinical radiologist's work.


METHODS
The daily workflow of clinical radiologists in a university-based department was analyzed, specifically looking for manual tasks that could be implemented in software. An application that a practicing radiologist would use in his daily work was created.


RESULTS
By using speech recognition, reports could be created, edited, and verified immediately. Online medical reference information could be made instantly accessible. Billing data could be captured accurately and completely at report creation time. A radiologist could be alerted to important upcoming events by use of a reminder system. Reports could be delivered immediately to referring physicians using either the internet or telephone.


CONCLUSIONS
It is possible to improve the productivity of busy practicing clinical radiologists by automating a large portion of their workflow and implementing it in an easily mastered software application.
Herman
S J
SJ
University of Toronto, Canada. steve.herman@uhn.on.ca
D006801:Humans; D011872:Radiology Department, Hospital; D011873:Radiology Information Systems; D012984:Software