title: The impact of PACS on radiologists' work practice.
abstract: This paper identifies and analyzes how the implementation and use of picture archiving and communication system impacts radiologists' work practice. The study is longitudinal from 1999 to 2005 and have a qualitative perspective were data were collected by structured interviews in a total of 46. The interviews were transcribed, analyzed, and coded using grounded theory as an organizing principle. In radiologists' work practice, three main categories were defined: professional role, diagnostic practice, and technology in use. The changing trends within the professional role indicated that radiologists moved from a more individual professional expertise to become more of an actor in a network. The diagnostic practice changed, as reading x-ray films was seen as an art form in 1999, requiring years of training. Once everyone could view digital images, including 3-dimensional technology, it was easier for other clinicians to see and interpret the images and the skills become accessible to everyone. The change in technology in use as a result of the shift to digital images led to an increased specialization of the radiologist.
authors.affiliation: Department for Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, Alfred Nobels allé 10, 141 83 Huddinge, Sweden. kent.fridell@ki.se
authors.forename: Kent
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fridell
authors.forename: Lars
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Edgren
authors.forename: Lars
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lindsköld
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Aspelin
authors.forename: Nina
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Lundberg
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D010819:Physician's Role; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011873:Radiology Information Systems; D016526:Workload