Correlations between time required for radiological diagnoses readers' performance display environments and difficulty of cases

摘要

Abstract: In a series of large ROC studies, the authors analyzed the time radiologists took to diagnose PA chest images as a function of observer performance indices (A$-z$/), display environments, and difficulty of cases. Board-certified radiologists interpreted at least 600 images each for the presence or absence of one or more of the following abnormalities: interstitial disease, nodule, and pneumothorax. Results indicated that there exists a large inter- reader variability in the time required to diagnose PA chest images. There is no correlation between a reader's specific median reading time and his/her performance. Time generally increases as the number of abnormalities on a single image increases and for cases with subtle abnormalities. Results also indicated that, in general, the longer the time for interpretation of a specific case (within reader), the further the observer's confidence ratings were from the truth. These findings were found to hold true regardless of the display mode. These results may have implications with regards to the appropriate methodology that should be used for imaging systems evaluations and for measurements of productivity for radiologists.!