- ALLERGY, RESPIRATORY
- Traffic, Dust Linked to Asthma in Kids
- Climate Change Could Sting Allergy, Asthma Sufferers
- New Spray Could Benefit Cystic Fibrosis Patients
- ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE
- Cranberries May Help Prevent Urinary Tract Infections
- Ginger Can Ease Nausea From Chemotherapy Treatments
- 38% of U.S. Adults Use Alternative Treatments
- ANIMAL CARE
- Separation Anxiety, Canine-Style
- Safe Toys for Dogs
- 'Comfort Dogs' Come to Emotional Rescue
- BONES & JOINTS
- Study Examines How Rheumatoid Arthritis Destroys Bone
- Tips to Ease an Aching Back
- Soccer's a Winner for Building Bone Health in Girls
- CANCER
- Method for Treating Cervical Lesions May Pose Pregnancy Risks
- Antioxidants Pose No Melanoma Threat
- Lifting Weights Can Ease Arm Swelling in Breast Cancer Survivors
- CAREGIVING
- Falls Are Top Cause of Injury, Death Among Elderly
- Distance No Bar to Kidney Transplants in Remote Areas
- Exercise During Pregnancy May Help Baby
- CIRCULATORY SYSTEM
- Tai Chi and Qigong Offer Many Health Benefits: Review
- Bye, Bye Back Fat?
- Support Network May Play Role in Benefits of Drinking
- COSMETIC
- Study Evaluates Laser Therapies for Hair Removal
- With Psoriasis, the Internet May Offer Hope
- New Genetic Links to Baldness Discovered
- DENTAL, ORAL
- Acid Drinks Blamed for Increase in Tooth Erosion
- Health Tip: At Risk for Gingivitis
- Rheumatoid Arthritis May Harm Gums
- DIABETES
- Americans Consuming More Sugary Beverages
- Fish Twice a Week Cuts Diabetics' Kidney Risks
- Boosting Vitamin D Can Do a Heart Good
- DIET, NUTRITION
- 'Organic' May Not Mean Healthier
- The High-Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) Debate
- Healthy Eating While On Vacation
- DISABILITIES
- Could Your Cell Phone Help Shield You From Alzheimer's?
- Review Finds Marijuana May Help MS Patients
- ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
- Pesticides on Produce Tied to ADHD in Children
- Is It Safe to Go in the Gulf Coast's Water?
- Database Helps Assess Your Breast Cancer Risk
- EYE CARE, VISION
- Sports Eye Injuries Leading Cause of Blindness in Youths
- Unconscious Learning: In the Eye of the Beholder?
- Hybrid Cars Pose Risk to Blind, Visually Impaired
- FITNESS
- Seniors Who Exercise Help Their Health
- Almost Two-Thirds of Americans Meet Exercise Guidelines
- MRSA Infections Can Bug Fitness Buffs
- GASTROINTESTINAL PROBLEMS
- Traditional Nonsurgical GERD Treatments Not Impressive
- HRT Use Raises Risk of Stomach Trouble
- Japanese Herbals May Ease Gastro Woes
- GENERAL HEALTH
- Brisk Walk Can Help Leave Common Cold Behind
- 'Organic' May Not Mean Healthier
- 6 to 8 Hours of Shut-Eye Is Optimal for Health
- HEAD & NECK
- Ski Helmets Encouraged for All
- Many Children Will Outgrow Headaches
- Zen May Thicken Brain, Thwart Pain
- HEALTH & TECHNOLOGY
- Imaging Sheds Light on How Acupuncture Works
- Airport Full Body Scanners Pose No Health Threat: Experts
- 'Cell Phone Elbow' -- A New Ill for the Wired Age
- HEART & CARDIOVASCULAR
- Rheumatoid Arthritis a Threat to the Heart
- Risk Factor for Stroke More Common Among Whites
- Potassium-Rich Foods May Cut Stroke, Heart Disease Risk
- INFECTIOUS DISEASE
- Swine Flu Is Now a Pandemic Says W.H.O.
- Viral Infection Might Trigger High Blood Pressure
- Swine Flu Now Reported in All 50 States
- KID'S HEALTH
- 6 Million U.S. Kids Lack Enough Vitamin D
- Frequent Feedings May Be Making Babies Fat
- 3 Home Habits Help Youngsters Stay Slim
- MEN'S HEALTH
- Whole Grains, Bran May Fight Hypertension in Men
- Countdown to Hair Loss
- Could Chinese Herb Be a Natural Viagra?
- MENTAL HEALTH
- Man's Best Friend Helps Mend Broken Hearts
- The Acne Drug Accutane More Than Doubles Depression Risk
- Have a Goal in Life? You Might Live Longer
- PAIN
- Are We Exercising Pain Away? Not So Much.
- Tai Chi May Help Ease Fibromyalgia
- Alleviating Rheumatoid Arthritis
- PREGNANCY
- Yoga's Benefits Outweigh Risks for Pregnant Women
- For Baby and Mom Alike, Breast-Feeding May Be Best
- Placebo Acupuncture Tied to Higher IVF Pregnancies
- SENIORS
- Older People at Greater Risk of Swine Flu Death
- Memory Loss Help from Brain Supplement Prevagen
- As You Age, Better Health Means Better Sex
Patients' Photos Help Boost Radiologists' Accuracy
By eHolistic.com Published: 12/02/2008
TUESDAY, Dec. 2 (HealthDay News) -- Clipping a photo of the patient next to their radiological scans helps humanize each case and boosts the accuracy with which scans are read by radiologists, a new study finds.
As technological advances have further distanced the radiologist from interaction with the patient, putting a patient's photo in his or her file may enable a more personal and empathetic approach, according to an Israeli study expected to be presented Tuesday at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America, in Chicago.
"Our study emphasizes approaching the patient as a human being and not as an anonymous case study," lead author Dr. Yehonatan N. Turner, radiology resident at Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem, said in a news release issued by the conference's organizer. "We feel it is important to counteract the anonymity that is common in radiologic exams, especially with the growth of teleradiology."
For the study, radiologists reviewed patients' files electronically via their hospital's picture archiving and communication system (PACS), a network for the storage and retrieval of medical images. When the files were open, the patient's photograph appeared automatically.
The results showed that radiologists gave a more meticulous reading of the medical images when a patient photo accompanied the file. For example, about 80 percent of the radiologic incidental findings reported originally were not reported when the radiologist re-examined the files three months later with the patient's photograph omitted from the file.
After reviewing the files, the radiologists all said they felt more empathy toward the patients after viewing their photos. The photographs often revealed key medical information, such as suffering or physical signs of disease, the doctors said.
"The photos were very helpful both in terms of improving diagnosis and the physicians own feelings as caregivers," Turner said. "Down the road, we would like to see photos added to all radiology case files."
More information
The U.S. National Institutes of Health has more about diagnostic imaging.
-- Kevin McKeever
SOURCE: Radiological Society of North America, news release, Dec. 2, 2008
Last Updated: Dec. 02, 2008
Copyright © 2008 ScoutNews, LLC. All rights reserved.
More articles at www.eholistic.com
