Predicting PACS Colt Sole Requirements From Radiologists' Reading Habits

In order to define and direct our research efforts toward the development of an effective and efficient PACS display console,we have begun a series of observational studies of radiologists' reading patterns of CT images displayed on film. Preliminary findings indicate that a three-stage process occurs. In each stage specific behaviors have been identified, and some preliminary quantitative aspects have been determined. Depending on the stage when they occur, individual behaviors may serve multiple and/or different functions. We suggest that while certain functions may be necessary, certain specific behaviors might better be replaced by other behaviors. It appears that the manner in which radiologists read hardcopy is, in part, due to habit and, in part, due to limitations imposed by the image display modality. These habits may not necessarily be efficient or necessary with an electronic display. Radiologists have accepted the constraints imposed on them by film, and developed reading habits to operate within these constraints. Guided by our preliminary data, we are developing our concepts of what are the essential requirements of a PACS display.