Study of Radiologic Technologists’ Perceptions of Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) Competence and Educational Issues in Western Australia

Although the implementation of picture archiving and communication system (PACS) could increase productivity of radiology departments, this depends on factors such as the PACS competence of radiologic technologists (RTs). The purpose of this study was to investigate the RTs’ perceptions of PACS competence and educational issues in Western Australia (WA). A hardcopy questionnaire was distributed to WA RTs for obtaining their perceptions of PACS competence and educational issues. Descriptive (percentage of frequency, mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (t test and analysis of variance) were used to analyze the responses of the multiple choice and five-point scale questions from the returned questionnaires. The questionnaire response rate was 57.7 % (173 out of 300). The mean values of all PACS competence questions except questions 2e–g are in the range of 3.9–4.9, i.e., around competent to very competent. Participants indicated they received adequate PACS training (mean 3.8). Statistically significant variables influencing RTs’ perceptions of their PACS competence and educational issues including the age (p < 0.01), gender (p < 0.05), years of practice (p < 0.005–0.05), primary duty (p < 0.05), medical imaging qualification (p < 0.001), general computer skills (p < 0.001), and type of PACS education received (p < 0.001–0.05). The WA RTs indicated that they were competent in using the modality workstation, PACS and radiology information system, and received adequate training. However, future PACS education programs should be tailored to different RTs’ groups. For example, multiple training modules might be necessary to support the PACS competence development of older RTs and those with lower general computer literacy

Future developments and trends in use of picture archiving and communication systems

This thesis was submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and awarded by Brunel University London.Objectives: This study identifies modern information technologies that can improve the clinical practice of Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS) and determines the approaches that are needed to improve the functionality of current PACS to provide better next generation PACS and to improve the future of radiology practices and workflow with future PACS generations. Method: A parallel mixed method approach was adopted including qualitative method (semi-structured interviews), quantitative method (questionnaire survey) and observation of online discussion groups on PACS. Five databases were searched to find salient literature, including Science Direct, Springer Link, Scopus, CINAHL Plus and Google Scholar. Six radiologists were interviewed and questionnaires were collected from 120 radiologists. Four online discussion groups related to PACS were monitored via LinkedIn. The data were analysed thematically using the thematic analysis method. Finally, a focus group was held with a separate group of radiologists to validate the findings. Results: Eight themes emerged from the thematic analysis of the data: (1) limitations of traditional PACS; (2) user needs and requirements that can increase PACS functionality; (3) Web based solutions of PACS; (4) PACS on mobile phones; (5) Vendor Neutral Archive (VNA); (6) full integration of voice recognition in PACS; (7) backup solutions for the system and (8) continuous training for PACS users. Discussion: With the development of healthcare information and communication technology (ICT) and with the increased demands of the radiologists to expand PACS usability, traditional PACS must be updated to follow the changes. Modern technologies can provide better solutions to enhance the functionality of current PACS. The next generation of PACS can fulfil the future requirements of users. This study considers the issues between the needs and requirements of the users of a PACS system in the future and the developing solutions in ICT and the PACS industry. Moreover, highly developed PACS systems with advanced features will have a direct impact in changing and improving radiology workflow. Accordingly, a model has been developed that proposes new features for the next generation PACS system, which may be applied to the next generation radiology practice. The model was validated with the focus group and, by using a separate group of radiologists in another country, was determined to be generalisable. Conclusion: It is widely recognised that traditional PACS must be updated to adopt recent advances in ICT. This research has identified themes that, when incorporated, will enhance the functionality of PACS and radiology workflow and provide better quality clinical practice. The findings from this empirical research can be used: as recommendations to vendors; for technology development; and by medical institutes to consider aspects when undertaking implementation of PACS and training future radiologists. Keywords: 'Picture archiving and communication system’, PACS, Future trends, next generation, Organisational efficiency, Productivity, Clinical practice, Ubiquitous.Ministry of Health, Government of Kuwai

Nivel de conocimiento del sistema PACS - RIS del tecnólogo médico en radiología de la clínica San Gabriel y del HEVES, Lima 2020

El objetivo de la investigación fue determinar el nivel de conocimiento sobre elsistema PACS – RIS del tecnólogo médico en radiología de la Clínica San Gabriely del HEVES en Lima 2020. Se utilizó un estudio básico, de diseño no experimental,transversal y descriptivo comparativo, cuya muestra estuvo conformada por 30tecnólogos en radiología de la Clínica San Gabriel y 30 tecnólogos del Hospital VillaEl Salvador. La estadística fue descriptiva, donde las variables cualitativas seestimaron por frecuencia relativas y absolutas. En cuanto a los resultados el nivelde conocimiento respecto a las generalidades del sistema PACS del tecnólogomédico en radiología fue medio en la Clínica San Gabriel (76.7%) y en el HEVES (83.3%). Sobre los componentes del sistema PACS, el conocimiento del tecnólogomédico fue medio en la Clínica San Gabriel (90%) y en el HEVES (73.3%). Acercadel sistema de información de radiología, el conocimiento del tecnólogo médico fuemedio en la Clínica San Gabriel (73.3%) y en el HEVES (73.3%). Finalmente, seconcluye que el nivel de conocimiento sobre el sistema PACS – RIS del tecnólogomédico en radiología fue medio en la Clínica San Gabriel y en el HEVES, en Lima2020 sin diferencias significativas

Advanced Practice Coordinator: Role Extension or Advanced Practice? A Canadian Multi-Case Study.

Introduction: Increasing demands for medical services concurrent with the shortage of healthcare personnel has forced a change in the delivery of healthcare services. In response to these challenges, allied health professions began expanding and extending their practices into the realms of medicine. A number of these emerging practices have been branded as advanced practice. One such practice is the advanced practice coordinator role in Ontario Canada, successfully implemented at two health institutions but failed at another. This research explores whether the advanced practice coordinator role is advanced practice or role extension and whether it influences patient outcomes. Further, the research objectives also included the development of a framework to inform the development and implementation of emerging practices in medical imaging along with informing advanced radiographic practice curricula. Professional practice designation is important as it contributes to professional identity, builds the professions’ body of knowledge, and influences professions’ scopes of practice, practitioners’ satisfaction, staff retention, and patient satisfaction. Further, the explicit designation of professional practice is needed for practitioners to provide a clear, concrete and consistent explanation of their professional roles and responsibilities to patients, the general public, other healthcare workers and healthcare policymakers. This research, therefore, contributes to knowledge in the areas of health sciences and higher education by informing the development of emerging practice roles and practice curricula. Methods: Three healthcare sites were studied using a mixed-methods multi-case study research strategy. Program documents, interviews of key stakeholders, surveys of advanced practice coordinators, and measures of patient wait times were gathered and analysed. Each case was studied as an independent case with subsequent cross-case analysis performed. Results: The advanced practice coordinator role was developed out of the need to better utilise technologists’ skills and competencies and the need to facilitate enhanced hours of diagnostic imaging services. The role has enjoyed some amount of success with recorded reductions in patient wait times, improved patient education and improvement in patient satisfaction. Additionally, the role failed at a third institution owing to local labour laws restrictions, and incompatibility between department layout and role functionality. More importantly, interviewees felt that the role was more consistent with the emerging practices of role extension than advanced practice. Conclusions: The advanced practice coordinator role as practice at two healthcare institutions in Ontario Canada did not meet the criteria for advanced practice designation. The practice is consistent with role extension. Nonetheless, the role does influence patient outcomes. Moreover, the findings of this research also assist in shaping the radio-graphic research landscape and improving the evidence-base practice approach of the radiographic profession. The findings also can possibly contribute to the development of advanced radiographic practice curricula that compliments clinical practice by providing form and structure to radiographic role development. Further, this research suggests two emerging practice frameworks - a collaborative approach to role extension and a frame-work to inform advanced practice in medical imaging. Keywords: Emerging practice, Advanced practice, Role extension, Advanced radio-graphic practice, Advanced practice coordinator, Medical radiation technology, Collaborative approach to role extension, Advanced radiographic practice framework

2014 - 2015 University Catalog

This is a one-year Catalog, effective beginning Summer Quarter 2014. Volume 104, Number 1, July 2014https://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/univcatalog/1002/thumbnail.jp

2009-2010 Undergraduate Catalog

2009-2010 graduate catalog for Morehead State University

2015 - 2016 University Catalog

This is a one-year Catalog, effective beginning Summer Quarter 2015. Volume 104, Number 1, July 2015https://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/univcatalog/1001/thumbnail.jp

The Artificial Intelligence in Digital Pathology and Digital Radiology: Where Are We?

This book is a reprint of the Special Issue entitled "The Artificial Intelligence in Digital Pathology and Digital Radiology: Where Are We?". Artificial intelligence is extending into the world of both digital radiology and digital pathology, and involves many scholars in the areas of biomedicine, technology, and bioethics. There is a particular need for scholars to focus on both the innovations in this field and the problems hampering integration into a robust and effective process in stable health care models in the health domain. Many professionals involved in these fields of digital health were encouraged to contribute with their experiences. This book contains contributions from various experts across different fields. Aspects of the integration in the health domain have been faced. Particular space was dedicated to overviewing the challenges, opportunities, and problems in both radiology and pathology. Clinal deepens are available in cardiology, the hystopathology of breast cancer, and colonoscopy. Dedicated studies were based on surveys which investigated students and insiders, opinions, attitudes, and self-perception on the integration of artificial intelligence in this field

2012 - 2013 University Catalog

Volume 102, Number 1, July 2012 Published once a year, July 2012https://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/univcatalog/1004/thumbnail.jp