Designing a radiology workstation: A focus on navigation during the interpretation task

Abstract

The potential cost and Iogistic improvemants of picture archiva and communication systam (PACS) over film-based medical image management awaits the development of viable radiology workstations (RWS) targeted for the primary interpratation task. While the quality of elactronically displayed images has been highly investigated, only recently have design and experimental work been devoted to the other critical aspact of workstation design, mainly its computer human interaction, and, in particular, its navigation. By RWS navigation wa includa its underlying mental model or metaphor, and the commands and hand motions used to access patient folders and to display images. For the last 5 yaars, the University of North Carolina (UNC) Medical Image Display Rasearch Group has analyzed the primary interpretation task and designed, developed, and evaluated the FilmPlana series of RWS prototypas. This work has helpad us understand both RWS requirements and viable design approaches. In this papar, we present our workstation design strategy and our observations and understanding of the issues and problems with RWS navigation. To illustrata the discussion, we describe FilmPlane2, the UNC radiology workstation. We also briefly detail three rapid-evaluation techniquas (including two observar axperiments) for quickly gaining feedback on a design. Thase observations and evaluation techniques may aid otber RWS designers in producing superior tools for the clinicians. 9 1990 by W.B. Saunders Company.KEY WORDS: computar human interaction, radiology workstations, human factors, medical imaga display. DESIGNING AN acceptable computerhuman interaction (CHI) is art rather than science. Nevertheless, a general methodology has been widely adapted that allows for the rapid evolution toward a viable product. 1 First, a well designed CHI starts with a complete requirements analysis including an understanding of the users and their tasks. Second, a clear mental

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