Image-Rich Radiology Reports: A Value-Based Model to Improve Clinical Workflow

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Medical Informatics
• Clinical Communication

Background:

• Traditional radiology reports may lack visual context.
• Integrating images directly into reports can improve understanding.

Purpose of the Study:

• Evaluate the value of image-rich radiology reports (IRRR).
• Assess referring physician interest and preferences for IRRR.
• Determine the impact of IRRR on clinical workflow.
• Gauge radiologist willingness to create IRRR.

Main Methods:

• Prospective study involving interviews with referring physicians and radiologists.
• Utilized a standard questionnaire after demonstrating IRRR mockups with different image viewing methods.
• Analyzed questionnaire responses, comments, and general impressions.

Main Results:

• 86% of clinicians expressed interest in using IRRR.
• 77% believed IRRR would improve communication; 83% thought it would improve efficiency.
• Clinicians preferred image thumbnail viewing (50%); radiologists favored mouse/right-click embedding (61%).
• Radiologists were willing to spend an average of 66.7 seconds embedding images.

Conclusions:

• Referring physicians and radiologists perceive significant value in IRRR.
• IRRR are expected to enhance communication and improve referring physician workflow efficiency.