Identifying error types in visual diagnostic skill assessment.

Background: Misinterpretation of medical images is an important source of diagnostic error. Errors can occur in different phases of the diagnostic process. Insight in the error types made by learners is crucial for training and giving effective feedback.

Increasing Authenticity of Simulation-Based Assessment in Diagnostic Radiology.

Introduction: Clinical reasoning in diagnostic imaging professions is a complex skill that requires processing of visual information and image manipulation skills. We developed a digital simulation-based test method to increase authenticity of image interpretation skill assessment.

Methods: A digital application, allowing volumetric image viewing and manipulation, was used for three test administrations of the national Dutch Radiology Progress Test for residents.

Predictors of Knowledge and Image Interpretation Skill Development in Radiology Residents.

Purpose To investigate knowledge and image interpretation skill development in residency by studying scores on knowledge and image questions on radiology tests, mediated by the training environment. Materials and Methods Ethical approval for the study was obtained from the ethical review board of the Netherlands Association for Medical Education. Longitudinal test data of 577 of 2884 radiology residents who took semiannual progress tests during 5 years were retrospectively analyzed by using a nonlinear mixed-effects model taking training length as input variable.

Tests, Quizzes, and Self-Assessments: How to Construct a High-Quality Examination.

Objective: The purposes of this article are to highlight aspects of tests that increase or decrease their effectiveness and to provide guidelines for constructing high-quality tests in radiology.

Conclusion: Many radiologists help construct tests for a variety of purposes. Only well-constructed tests can provide reliable and valuable information about the test taker.

The Importance of Human-Computer Interaction in Radiology E-learning.

With the development of cross-sectional imaging techniques and transformation to digital reading of radiological imaging, e-learning might be a promising tool in undergraduate radiology education. In this systematic review of the literature, we evaluate the emergence of image interaction possibilities in radiology e-learning programs and evidence for effects of radiology e-learning on learning outcomes and perspectives of medical students and teachers. A systematic search in PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane, ERIC, and PsycInfo was performed.

Volumetric and two-dimensional image interpretation show different cognitive processes in learners.

Rationale And Objectives: In current practice, radiologists interpret digital images, including a substantial amount of volumetric images. We hypothesized that interpretation of a stack of a volumetric data set demands different skills than interpretation of two-dimensional (2D) cross-sectional images. This study aimed to investigate and compare knowledge and skills used for interpretation of volumetric versus 2D images.

Support for external validity of radiological anatomy tests using volumetric images.

Rationale And Objectives: Radiology practice has become increasingly based on volumetric images (VIs), but tests in medical education still mainly involve two-dimensional (2D) images. We created a novel, digital, VI test and hypothesized that scores on this test would better reflect radiological anatomy skills than scores on a traditional 2D image test. To evaluate external validity we correlated VI and 2D image test scores with anatomy cadaver-based test scores.

Volumetric CT-images improve testing of radiological image interpretation skills.

Rationale And Objectives: Current radiology practice increasingly involves interpretation of volumetric data sets. In contrast, most radiology tests still contain only 2D images. We introduced a new testing tool that allows for stack viewing of volumetric images in our undergraduate radiology program.

Computed tomography pulmonary angiography in acute pulmonary embolism: the effect of a computer-assisted detection prototype used as a concurrent reader.

Purpose: To assess the effect of computer-assisted detection (CAD) on diagnostic accuracy, reader confidence, and reading time when used as a concurrent reader for the detection of acute pulmonary embolism in computed tomography pulmonary angiography.

Materials And Methods: In this institutional review board-approved retrospective study, 6 observers with varying experience evaluated 158 negative and 38 positive consecutive computed tomography pulmonary angiographies (mean patient age 60 y; 115 women) without and with CAD as a concurrent reader. Readers were asked to determine the presence of pulmonary embolism, assess their diagnostic confidence using a 5-point scale, and document their reading time.