User requirements for quantitative radiological reports in multiple sclerosis

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Radiology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Quantitative radiological reports (QReports) offer enhanced clinical management for multiple sclerosis (MS) through MRI data.
• Lack of consensus on QReport content and clinician preferences hinders adoption of these advanced imaging analysis tools.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine clinicians' requirements for QReports in MS management.
• To facilitate the clinical implementation of QReports by identifying essential features and barriers.

Main Methods:

• A four-phase Delphi panel approach involving European neurologists and radiologists.
• Questionnaires developed through expert interviews and refined based on feedback, distributed via the MAGNIMS network.
• Analysis of responses from two questionnaire iterations, incorporating participant feedback.

Main Results:

• A 49.6% response rate from 78 participants identified key preferences and barriers.
• Consensus on including detailed lesion information and brain/spinal cord volume measurements.
• Identified barriers include workflow integration, cost-effectiveness, educational support, validation, report generation time, data protection, and reliability.

Conclusions:

• QReports hold potential for improving MS management.
• Addressing barriers related to cost, validation, integration, and clinician education is crucial for practical implementation.
• Recommendations for developers can enhance QReport utility and clinical adoption.