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Improvement in radiological reading efficiency and residents’ education and clinical contribution using the modified reading system “Triage Reader”

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Abstract

Purpose

To assess whether the modified reading system “Triage Reader” (TR) can improve the radiological reading work environment.

Materials and methods

This retrospective, single-center study analyzed two reading systems for 26,786 computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging examinations. In the conventional system (January 1–May 31, 2016), all reading work was mostly completed within the day. In the TR system (January 1–May 31, 2017), a radiology resident (TR) first read every image immediately after the examination and tagged each examination according to actual image findings and clinical demands. Routine reading work was finished when all high-priority cases were completed. Low-priority cases were assessed the following day.

Results

When using the TR system, the mean reading number in the evening decreased (P = 0.009). The mean elapsed time to finalize report of case with actual urgent image finding shortened from 4.26 to 1.97 h (P < 0.0001). The mean number of cases experienced per resident increased from 5.4 to 28.7 (P < 0.001). Subjective evaluation revealed a significant improvement in “Reading efficiency” and “Contribution to clinical practice.”

Conclusion

Introduction of the TR system can improve the reading efficiency and quality, educational effect among residents by increasing the number of experienced cases and work satisfaction.

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Acknowledgements

We whole heartedly thank our colleagues at the Division and Department of Radiology, Shinshu University Hospital, for their co-operation, and Mr. Tetsuya Ootsuki, PSP Corporation for technical support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, 3-1-1 Asahi, Matsumoto, Nagano, 390-1301, Japan

    Akira Yamada, Yukinori Okajima, Eriko Yoshizawa, Fumiaki Fukamatsu, Takayuki Mitsui, Takeshi Suzuki, Fumihito Ichinohe, Kazuki Oyama, Keisuke Todoroki, Mana Maehara, Takanori Aonuma, Tomofumi Nonaka, Yasunari Fujinaga & Masumi Kadoya

Authors
  1. Akira Yamada
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  2. Yukinori Okajima
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  3. Eriko Yoshizawa
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  4. Fumiaki Fukamatsu
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  5. Takayuki Mitsui
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  6. Takeshi Suzuki
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  7. Fumihito Ichinohe
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  8. Kazuki Oyama
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  12. Tomofumi Nonaka
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  13. Yasunari Fujinaga
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  14. Masumi Kadoya
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Akira Yamada.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical statement

This article does not contain any studies with human participants or animals performed by any of the authors.

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Yamada, A., Okajima, Y., Yoshizawa, E. et al. Improvement in radiological reading efficiency and residents’ education and clinical contribution using the modified reading system “Triage Reader”. Jpn J Radiol 36, 649–660 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11604-018-0772-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11604-018-0772-x

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