Eye tracking validation: Improving radiologist reporting and interpretation

Abstract

Rationale and objectivesThis study aims to validate a new radiology reporting style using eye tracking to maximize radiologist interpretation time, increase accuracy, and minimize dictation time, ultimately providing a clinically relevant, concise, and accurate reporting style. Materials and methodsThe positive findings only dictation style using a podcast stand-alone microphone (n = 76) was compared with the standard check-list dictation style using a handheld microphone (n = 81). Experienced board-certified radiologists used each style for various imaging modalities. The number of voice recognition corrections per case was tracked. Eye-tracking glasses captured eye movement to document dictation, interpretation, and total examination times. This device also generated thermal heat maps for each style. The statistical difference between the two methods was assessed via descriptive analysis and inferential statistics. ResultsEye tracking revealed that the new positive findings dictation style led to a noteworthy shift in radiologists' visual attention, with reduced heat map overlaying the reporting software compared to the standard check-list style, indicating greater focus on medical images. Cases with at least one voice recognition correction significantly decreased using the positive findings dictation style versus the standard check-list style (5.26 % vs. 14.81 %; p = 0.0240). The positive findings dictation style significantly decreased average dictation time (16.54 s [s] vs. 29.39 s; p = 0.0003) without impacting interpretation time (70.90 s vs. 64.30 s; p = 0.7799) or total examination time (87.45 s vs. 93.69 s; p = 0.3756) compared to the standard style. ConclusionPositive findings only dictation style significantly decreased dictation time and enhanced accuracy without compromising total interpretation time.