Sevenster Merlijn, Hergaarden Kenneth F M, Hertgers Omar, Kruithof Natalie H M, Roelofs Joost J H, Foster-Dingley Jessica C, Romeijn Stephan R, Nguyen Duy Duc, Vosbergen Sandra, Lamb Hildo J
Royal Philips Electronics, High Tech Campus 34, 5656AE, Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands.
J Imaging Inform Med. 2025 Feb;38(1):318-326. doi: 10.1007/s10278-024-01157-z. Epub 2024 Jul 2.
Despite the importance of communication, radiology departments often depend on communication tools that were not created for the unique needs of imaging workflows, leading to frequent radiologist interruptions. The objective of this study was test the hypothesis that a novel asynchronous communication tool for the imaging workflow (RadConnect) reduces the daily average number of synchronous (in-person, telephone) communication requests for radiologists. We conducted a before-after study. Before adoption of RadConnect, technologists used three conventional communication methods to consult radiologists (in-person, telephone, general-purpose enterprise chat (GPEC)). After adoption, participants used RadConnect as a fourth method. Technologists manually recorded every radiologist consult request related to neuro and thorax CT scans in the 40 days before and 40 days after RadConnect adoption. Telephone traffic volume to section beepers was obtained from the hospital telephone system for the same period. The value and usability experiences were collected through an electronic survey and structured interviews. RadConnect adoption resulted in 53% reduction of synchronous (in-person, telephone) consult requests: from 6.1 ± 4.2 per day to 2.9 ± 2.9 (P < 0.001). There was 77% decrease (P < 0.001) in telephone volume to the neuro and thorax beepers, while no significant volume change was noted to the abdomen beeper (control group). Survey responses (46% response rate) and interviews confirmed the positive impact of RadConnect on interruptions. RadConnect significantly reduced radiologists' telephone interruptions. Study participants valued the role-based interaction and prioritized worklist overview in the survey and interviews. Findings from this study will contribute to a more focused work environment.
尽管沟通很重要，但放射科通常依赖并非为影像工作流程的独特需求而设计的沟通工具，这导致放射科医生频繁被打断。本研究的目的是检验以下假设：一种用于影像工作流程的新型异步沟通工具（RadConnect）可减少放射科医生每日同步（面对面、电话）沟通请求的平均数量。我们进行了一项前后对照研究。在采用RadConnect之前，技术人员使用三种传统沟通方法向放射科医生咨询（面对面、电话、通用企业聊天工具（GPEC））。采用之后，参与者将RadConnect作为第四种沟通方法。技术人员手动记录了在采用RadConnect之前40天和之后40天内与神经和胸部CT扫描相关的每一次放射科医生咨询请求。同期从医院电话系统获取拨打到各科室传呼机的电话通信量。通过电子调查和结构化访谈收集了关于该工具价值和可用性的体验。采用RadConnect后，同步（面对面、电话）咨询请求减少了53%：从每天6.1±4.2次降至2.9±2.9次（P<0.001）。拨打到神经和胸部传呼机的电话量减少了77%（P<0.001），而拨打到腹部传呼机（对照组）的电话量没有显著变化。调查回复（回复率46%）和访谈证实了RadConnect对减少干扰的积极影响。RadConnect显著减少了放射科医生的电话干扰。研究参与者在调查和访谈中重视基于角色的互动以及优先工作列表概述。本研究的结果将有助于营造一个更专注的工作环境。
