title: From being a radiologist to watching a radiologist: impact of filmless operation on the training of radiology residents.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The authors performed this study to investigate the impact of changing from a film-based image interpretation system to one using digital image workstations on the training of radiology residents in the interpretation of radiographs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were collected during a period when a conventional system of image interpretation with hard-copy images and multiviewers was used and during a period when digital image workstations were used. During each period, it was noted whether the first interpretation of the radiographs was performed by a radiology resident, by an attending radiologist, or as a group effort including both an attending radiologist and a radiology resident(s). In addition, it was noted whether a radiology resident or an attending radiologist dictated the report.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The proportion of images first interpreted by the radiology resident alone decreased from 38% (53 of 139) when using the conventional system to 17% (34 of 199) after the switch to interpreting images on the workstations (P = .001). During the film-based period, radiology residents dictated 45% of reports (141 of 312), but during the workstation period, radiology residents dictated only 4% of reports (24 of 667; P = .001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The authors observed a decrease in autonomous participation by radiology residents in image interpretation and dictation of reports and an increase in "group reading" after the switch from a film-based system to a workstation system.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia 19104, USA.
authors.forename: R O
authors.initials: RO
authors.lastname: Redfern
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Lowe
authors.forename: H L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Kundel
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Horii
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Propert
authors.forename: S B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Abbuhl
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Brensinger
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement; D011871:Radiology / Q000193:education*; D014481:United States