A review of factors influencing radiologists’ visual search behaviour

Abstract

This narrative literature review aims to identify the various factors that have significant impact on radiologists' visual search patterns. Identifying the factors that influences readers' visual search behaviour helps to understand their perception and interpretation of medical images, which in turn could lead to the development and implementation of effective strategies that could aid in improving the ability to detect abnormalities. Databases including PubMed, MedLine, Web of Science and ScienceDirect were searched using terms 'visual search', 'eye-tracking', 'radiology OR radiography', 'mammogram OR mammography' published since the early 1960s until June 30, 2016. Some of the factors that have been identified to significantly influence radiologists' visual search patterns were (i) readers' expertise, (ii) Satisfaction of Search, (iii) readers' visual fatigue, (iv) readers' confidence in reporting abnormalities, (v) training received and (vi) readers' prior knowledge. Readers' level of expertise was the factor that has been identified to have the most significant impact on their visual search pattern. Eye-tracking studies have shown the differences in visual search patterns of readers with different levels of experience and not so surprisingly, more experienced readers have shown effective visual search strategies. Readers' expertise has also been found to have significant impact in their confidence in reporting abnormalities and their ability to discriminate lesions from background structures in medical images.

Comparing radiographs with signaling improves anomaly detection of dental students: An eye‐tracking study

“…The observation that trainings lead to an increase in false positive errors is also known from the literature (cf. Ganesan et al, 2018). and not after the second training because of the crossover design.…”

Persistent right aortic arch and absent left subclavian artery in a seven‐week‐old English Springer Spaniel

“…Satisfaction of search error is a phenomenon whereby the finding of one abnormality on an image results in a second abnormality being overlooked. [16][17][18] As described above, cases of PRAA frequently have a concurrent VRA. The case presented here highlights another anomaly that should prompt the reader to carefully examine the subclavian arteries when a PRAA is diagnosed.…”

“…Satisfaction of search error is a phenomenon whereby the finding of one abnormality on an image results in a second abnormality being overlooked 16–18 . As described above, cases of PRAA frequently have a concurrent VRA.…”

How can video‐based assignments integrate practical and conceptual knowledge in summative assessment? Student experiences from a longitudinal experiment

“…Our study also reveals how easily students can go off course when observing videos. Insights from research into more general applications of video, as well as oral radiology, suggest that limitations of perception are Video use in summative assessment 1293 particularly evident when students are viewing a digital radiographic examination to make a correct diagnosis (Robinson, 1997;Mello-Thoms et al, 2003;Ganesan et al, 2018). In professional practice, limitations of perception not infrequently lead to medical malpractice, which suggests it is plausible to assume the same risks will exist for students watching a video in an exam situation.…”