Abstract
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to compare interpretation efficiency of radiologists reading radiographs on 6 megapixel (MP) versus 12 MP monitors. APPROACH: Our method compares two sets of monitors in two phases: in phase I, radiologists interpreted using a 6 MP, 30.4 in. (Barco Coronis Fusion) and in phase II, a 12 MP, 30.9 in. (Barco Nio Fusion). Nine chest and three musculoskeletal radiologists each batch interpreted an average of 115 radiographs in phase I and 115 radiographs in phase II as a part of routine clinical work. Radiologists were blinded to monitor resolution. RESULTS: Interpretation times per radiograph were noted from dictation logs. Interpretation time was significantly decreased utilizing a 12 MP monitor by 6.88 s ( p = 0.002 ) and 6.76 s (8.7%) ( p < 0.001 ) for chest radiographs only and combined chest and musculoskeletal radiographs, respectively. When evaluating musculoskeletal radiographs alone, the improvement in reading times with 12 MP monitor was 6.76 s, however, this difference was not statistically significant ( p = 0.111 ). Interpretation of radiographs on 12 MP monitors was 8.7% faster than on 6 MP monitors. CONCLUSION: Higher resolution diagnostic displays can enable radiologists to interpret radiographs more efficiently.