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Picture Archiving and Communication System and its Impact on Image Viewing in Physical Therapy Practice

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Imaging plays an increasing role in physical therapy (PT) practice. We sought to determine if picture archiving and communication system (PACS) deployment would increase the proportion of imaging studies viewed by physical therapists (PTs) at the point of care and to assess PTs' perception of the value of access to imaging information. The study was performed in a 720-bed urban teaching hospital where an average of 2,000 rehabilitation visits per month are performed by 12 PTs. We compared the proportion of imaging studies viewed by PTs before and after PACS implementation. We surveyed PTs to assess their perception on the value of access to imaging studies. Film library records pre-PACS and web server audit trail post-PACS implementation were reviewed to measure access. Chi-square was used to compare proportions and trends. During the 3-month period before PACS usage, PTs viewed 1% (6/505) of imaging studies, citing time as the primary barrier. Post-PACS, the proportion of imaging studies viewed rose from 28% (95/344, second month) to 84% (163/192, fifth month) (p < 0.0001, chi-square). Most PTs believed that access to imaging studies has high value and has a positive impact on clinical practice. Physical therapists rarely viewed imaging studies before PACS due to time barriers. They viewed more imaging studies (84%) post-PACS and felt that access to imaging studies has a positive impact on clinical practice. Further studies are needed to assess whether PACS enhances PTs' clinical decision making and improves patient outcomes.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge Wendy Mar, Senior Research Data Analyst, Center for Evidence-Based Imaging, Brigham and Women's Hospital, for her assistance in compiling data. Acknowledgement also goes to Philip Brucella, PT, for assistance in the tabulation of data for this manuscript. This paper was presented at the Radiological Society of North America Conference in 2004 and at the Combined Sections Meeting of the American Physical Therapy Association in 2006.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Evidence-Based Imaging, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA, 02115, USA

    Reg B. Wilcox III PT, DPT, MS, Joel Fallano PT, DPT, John A. Carrino MD, MPH, Jacquelyn Sinclair RPh, MM & Ramin Khorasani MD, MPH

  2. Department of Rehabilitation Services, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 45 Francis Street, Boston, MA, 02115, USA

    Reg B. Wilcox III PT, DPT, MS, Joel Fallano PT, DPT & Kenneth J. Shannon PT, DPT

  3. Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA, 02115, USA

    John A. Carrino MD, MPH & Ramin Khorasani MD, MPH

Authors
  1. Reg B. Wilcox III PT, DPT, MS
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  2. Joel Fallano PT, DPT
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  3. Kenneth J. Shannon PT, DPT
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  4. John A. Carrino MD, MPH
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  5. Jacquelyn Sinclair RPh, MM
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  6. Ramin Khorasani MD, MPH
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ramin Khorasani MD, MPH.

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Wilcox, R.B., Fallano, J., Shannon, K.J. et al. Picture Archiving and Communication System and its Impact on Image Viewing in Physical Therapy Practice. J Digit Imaging 19, 346–350 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10278-006-0586-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10278-006-0586-8

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