Access to Musculoskeletal Imaging Studies in Argentina: Are Orthopaedic Surgeons Mere Bystanders?
Abstract
Introduction: Access to imaging study results has undergone substantial changes in recent years, affecting the practice of orthopaedic surgeons. Objective: To evaluate the perceptions of orthopaedic surgeons in Argentina regarding access to imaging studies, image quality, and the impact of these factors on clinical practice. Materials and Methods: A total of 323 members of the Argentine Association of Orthopaedics and Traumatology participated in the survey. Data were analyzed according to years in practice, geographic region, workplace, and subspecialty. Results: A significant change in access to imaging studies was observed, with 62% of respondents reporting a substantial impact. Nearly 50% reported being dissatisfied with current access methods, and 47% indicated that access difficulties frequently or very frequently had a negative impact on their clinical practice. According to 29% of respondents, attempts to access imaging studies took up as much as 40-50% of the consultation time. Ninety-two percent had received no formal training in the use of the new digital platforms. Perceptions of image quality varied, with 24% considering it worse than in their previous experience. Conclusions: Orthopaedic surgeons in Argentina report high levels of dissatisfaction and frequent difficulties accessing imaging studies. A lack of training and insufficient consideration of physicians as primary userscontribute to this perception. This study highlights the need to involve healthcare professionals as key stakeholders in the design and implementation of imaging access systems.Downloads
References
Kruger P, Lynskey S, Sutherland A. Are orthopaedic surgeons reading radiology reports? A Trans-Tasman Survey. J Med Imaging Radiat Oncol 2019;63(3):324-8. https://doi.org/10.1111/1754-9485.12871
Olthof AW, Shouche P, Fennema EM, IJpma FFA, Koolstra RHC, Stirler VMA, et al. Machine learning based natural language processing of radiology reports in orthopaedic trauma. Comput Methods Programs Biomed 2021;208:106304. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cmpb.2021.106304
Fridell K, Aspelin P, Felländer-Tsai L, Lundberg N. The effect of PACS on the practice of orthopaedic surgeons. J
Telemed Telecare 2011;17(3):137-41. https://doi.org/10.1258/jtt.2010.100107
Wade FA, Oliver CW. Living with digital imaging. Clin Orthop Relat Res 2004;(421):25-8. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.blo.0000126870.74832.d7
Lutsky K, Leinberry C, Gallant G, Takei R, Kwok M, Beredjiklian P. An evaluation of digital imaging studies in an
outpatient orthopedic setting. Arch Bone Jt Surg 2019;7(3):235-8. PMID: 31312680
Juenemann S, Hasler C, Brunner R. Digital imaging data on CD-R: a time trap for orthopaedic surgeons in outpatient clinics. J Child Orthop 2009;3(1):59-62. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11832-008-0150-9
Alderson PO. Customer service and satisfaction in radiology. AJR Am J Roentgenol 2000;175(2):319-23.
https://doi.org/10.2214/ajr.175.2.1750319
Camponovo EJ. Radiologist-patient contact: a different perspective. J Am Coll Radiol 2004;1(12):998-9; author
reply 1000. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacr.2004.09.021
Pilling JR. Picture archiving and communication systems: the users‘ view. Br J Radiol 2003;76(908):519-24.
https://doi.org/10.1259/bjr/67551353
Moya D, Gómez D, Vila M, Alfano F. ¿Somos los cirujanos argentinos de hombro y codo los peor tratados de
Iberoamérica? Comparación de los honorarios y el nivel de satisfacción entre los miembros de la Asociación
Argentina de Cirugía de Hombro y Codo, y los colegas de Iberoamérica. Rev Asoc Argent Ortop Traumatol 2022;87(4):540-58. https://doi.org/10.15417/issn.1852-7434.2022.87.4.1593
Wojciech C, Hennrikus W, Kish A, Armstrong D. Use of CD-ROMS for digital image viewing during new pediatric orthopaedic consults - Do we need a standardized viewer for digital imaging? J Musculoskelet Disord Treat 2016;2(1): 006 pp:1-3. Disponible en: https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/d4c7/66a71cf8b0cb597493be7a188843cc8dea2d.pdf
Lindsay R, McKinstry S, Vallely S, Thornbury G. What influences clinician‘s satisfaction with radiology services?
Insights Imaging 2011;2(4):425-30. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13244-011-0099-y
Jorwekar GJ, Dandekar KN, Baviskar PK. Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS): Clinician‘s
perspective about filmless imaging. Indian J Surg 2015;77(Suppl 3):774-7. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12262-013-0998-x
Chan L, Trambert M, Kywi A, Hartzman S. PACS in private practice--effect on profits and productivity. J Digit
Imaging 2002;15(Suppl 1):131-6. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10278-002-5019-8
Ondategui-Parra S, Bhagwat JG, Zou KH, Nathanson E, Gill IE, Ros PR. Use of productivity and financial indicators for monitoring performance in academic radiology departments: U.S. nationwide survey. Radiology
;236(1):214-9. https://doi.org/10.1148/radiol.2361040456
Hoe J. Quality service in radiology. Biomed Imaging Interv J 2007;3(3):e24. https://doi.org/10.2349/biij.3.3.e24
Manuscript acceptance by the Journal implies the simultaneous non-submission to any other journal or publishing house. The RAAOT is under the Licencia Creative Commnos Atribución-NoComercial-Compartir Obras Derivadas Igual 4.0 Internacional (CC-BY-NC.SA 4.0) (http://creativecommons.org/licences/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.es). Articles can be shared, copied, distributed, modified, altered, transformed into a derivative work, executed and publicly communicated, provided a) the authors and the original publication (Journal, Publisher and URL) are mentioned, b) they are not used for commercial purposes, c) the same terms of the license are maintained.
In the event that the manuscript is approved for its next publication, the authors retain the copyright and will assign to the journal the rights of publication, edition, reproduction, distribution, exhibition and communication at a national and international level in the different databases. data, repositories and portals.
It is hereby stated that the mentioned manuscript has not been published and that it is not being printed in any other national or foreign journal.
The authors hereby accept the necessary modifications, suggested by the reviewers, in order to adapt the manuscript to the style and publication rules of this Journal.
