Free text versus structured format: information transfer efficiency of radiology reports.

Objective: We discuss the effect of radiology report format on the accuracy and speed with which reviewers can extract case-specific information.

Materials And Methods: A Web-based testing mechanism was used to present radiology reports to each of 16 senior medical students and record their answers to 10 multiple choice questions about specific medical content for each of 12 cases. Subjects were randomly assigned to view the reports in either free text or structured format.

A simple method for importing multiple image files into PowerPoint.

Objective: We developed a method for automatically inserting a large number of images into a PowerPoint presentation document.

Conclusion: We designed, tested, and now routinely use a simple macro program for importing all images contained in a single directory into a PowerPoint presentation. The complete text of the macro code is included in this article, and readers are encouraged to experiment with it.

PACS adoption.

Once the decision has been made to adopt PACS instead of a film-based radiology practice, there are a number of hurdles to jump. Users need to be aware of the impact the change will make on end users and be prepared to address issues that arise before they become problems. Someone who understands the technology of PACS must be identified to help make an informed decision about vendor selection, network architecture, workstation functionality, and archives.