Search

Purpose: To evaluate the utility of point-of-care patient photographs accompanying musculoskeletal (MSK) radiography to identify errors in laterality., Materials and Methods: In this Institutional Review Board-approved study, 347 consecutive MSK radiograph-photograph combinations and corresponding radiography provider orders between October 1, 2018 and January 31, 2019, were retrospectively reviewed. Photographs were obtained simultaneously with the radiographs using the PatCam System (Camerad Technologies, Decatur, GA). In each case, laterality was recorded for all photographs, radiograph side markers, and radiography orders, and any laterality discrepancy among these variables was recorded. The side indicated on the provider order was taken as the gold standard., Results: Three hundred and forty-seven consecutive MSK radiograph-photograph combinations from 253 unique patients consisted of 129 upper extremity and 218 lower extremity radiographs. Two discrepancies (0.58%) in laterality were identified. The first discrepant case consisted of a left foot radiograph, which was labeled as "R" on the radiograph and left on the order. In this case, the patient photograph confirmed with certainty that the incorrect side marker was placed. The second discrepant case was a hip radiograph, in which 1 of 3 images had discrepant L/R labeling; the patient was covered with a sheet, both hips were included in the photograph, but a monitoring device on the patient's left side in the photograph also included on the radiographs determined which film was incorrectly labeled., Conclusions: Patient photographs obtained concurrently with MSK radiographs can provide a valuable quality tool in identifying errors of laterality. In our study, over 1 in 200 patients was identified as having such an error., (Copyright © 2020. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Because image interpretation occurs out of public view, the lay public does not always know what a radiologist is, or that a radiologist is even a physician. Despite the reality that many radiologists have little to no patient contact, all have considerable impact on patient care. As viewed through the lens of patient impact and in the context of the social contract that physicians enter, radiologists lay equal claim to the title "doctor" as any other physician. With titles come responsibilities: as physicians, radiologists are obligated through the social contract to provide humanistic and virtuous care, irrespective of time spent in close proximity with patients. This paper touches on ways in which radiologists can honor the social contract, providing care through a commitment to empathy, compassion, generosity, honesty and collaboration with nonradiologist colleagues. This invitation for introspection assumes special meaning for a profession that is undergoing an identity change at the behest of AI, serving as a reminder that radiologists ought to pay as much heed to maintaining virtuous physician character as they do to the fine points of image interpretation., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Bibliometric analyses by highest number of citations can help researchers and funding agencies in determining the most influential articles in a field. The main objective of this analysis was to identify the top 100 cited articles addressing radiation exposure from medical imaging and assess their characteristics., Methods: Relevant articles were extracted from the Scopus database after a systematic search by researchers using an iteratively defined Boolean search string. Subsequently, exclusion criteria were applied. A list of top 100 articles was prepared, and articles were ranked according to the citations they had received. No time restriction was applied. Descriptive statistics of the data were compiled., Results: The top-cited articles were published from 1970-2013, with the most articles published in 2009 and 2010 (12 articles in each year). The citations ranged from 107-1888 with a median of 272. Manuscripts from our top-cited list originated from 20 different countries, with contributions made by 158 authors and 160 organizations. Eighty-eight percent of studies evaluated patient-related radiation exposure, 7% health care workers, and 5% both or were not specified. Thirty-two percent of studies examined adult populations, 14% pediatric, and 54% included both populations or did not specify. Seventy-two percent of studies were dedicated to Computed Tomography, 8% to radiography/fluoroscopy, 9% to interventional procedures, 4% to nuclear medicine, and 7% to a combination of 2 or more modalities., Conclusion: The top 100 cited articles in medical imaging related to radiation exposure are diverse, originating from many countries with numerous contributing authors. The most common topics covered involve CT and adult patients. The recent peak in the most-highly cited articles (2010) suggests that increased attention has been devoted to this field in recent years. Based on these results, it would appear that research on radiation exposure in medical imaging is poised to continue expanding., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Subspecialty expertise and fellowship training are two of the most desirable attributes in new radiology hires and, not surprisingly, the vast majority of diagnostic radiologists entering the job market today have had fellowship training. Fellowship training imparts not only expertise beyond that which is attainable during residency, but also a unique opportunity for professional maturation. In this article, we offer guidance in planning, building and sustaining a successful fellowship. The key steps in this process include strategic planning, development of a curriculum that can be customized to meet the educational goals of any individual fellow, professional development and trainee preparation for the marketplace, and approaches to ensure program longevity and success through local, regional and national fellow recruitment efforts. While many of the ideas presented are framed from the perspective of their integration into a newly formed fellowship program, they can also be adapted for use by existing fellowship programs as opportunities for program growth and improvement., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)