Introduction The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of clinical information on the accuracy, timeliness, reporting confidence and clinical relevance of the radiology report. Methods A systematic review of studies that investigated a link between primary communication of clinical information to the radiologist and the resultant report was conducted. Relevant studies were identified by a comprehensive search of electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus and EMBASE). Studies were screened using pre‐defined criteria. Methodological quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Critical Appraisal Checklist for Quasi‐Experimental Studies. Synthesis of findings was narrative. Results were reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Results There were 21 studies which met the inclusion criteria, of which 20 were included in our review following quality assessment. Sixteen studies investigated the effect of clinical information on reporting accuracy, three studies investigated the effect of clinical information on reporting confidence, three studies explored the impact of clinical information on clinical relevance, and two studies investigated the impact of clinical information on reporting timeliness. Some studies explored multiple outcomes. Studies concluded that clinical information improved interpretation accuracy, clinical relevance and reporting confidence; however, reporting time was not substantially affected by the addition of clinical information. Conclusion The findings of this review suggest clinical information has a positive impact on the radiology report. It is in the best interests of radiologists to communicate the importance of clinical information to reporting via the creation of criteria standards to guide the requesting practices of medical imaging referrers. Further work is recommended to establish these criteria standards.

A study to compare the performance of the following display monitors for application as PACS CR diagnostic workstations is described. 1. Diagnostic quality, 3 megapixel, 21 inch monochrome LCD monitors. 2. Commercial grade, 2 megapixel, 20 inch colour LCD monitors. Two sets of fifty radiological studies each were presented separately to five radiologists on two occasions, using different displays on each occasion. The two sets of radiological studies were CR of the chest, querying the presence of pneumothorax, and CR of the wrist, querying the presence of a scaphoid fracture. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves were constructed for diagnostic performance for each presentation. Areas under the ROC curves (AUC) for diagnosis using different monitors were compared for each image set and the following results obtained: Set 1: Monochrome AUC = 0.873 +/- 0.026; Colour AUC = 0.831 +/- 0.032; Set 2: Monochrome AUC = 0.945 +/- 0.014; Colour AUC = 0.931 +/- 0.019; Differences in AUC were attributed to the different monitors. While not significant at a 95% confidence level, the results have supported a cautious approach to consideration of the use of commercial grade LCD colour monitors for diagnostic application.

In 2001 a radiology information system/picture archiving and communication system (RIS/PACS) was installed at the Princess Alexandra Hospital (PAH) in Brisbane, with electronic image transfer links to other major hospitals in Queensland. An assessment study is being performed of the effect of the ready availability of radiology results on clinicians, clinical decision making and the time taken to treat patients. A series of structured interviews with senior clinicians at the PAH began in July 2002. Administrative data are being collected from the PAH computer system. Preliminary results from the first six months of the study suggest that the introduction of the RIS/PACS at the PAH has been well received by senior clinicians and has been helpful in clinical decision making. Patient management has been improved and the time taken to arrive at clinical decisions has been reduced, particularly in neurosurgery. The RIS/PACS has significantly improved access to imaging resources for teaching, owing to the ability to retrieve reference images and to project high-quality images during teaching sessions. However, the introduction of the RIS/PACS has not reduced patient length of stay.

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