Validation of Advanced Macro Button Toolbar System for Radiologist Report Composition

An advanced macro button toolbar system for report composition was developed to improve radiologist productivity in response to the complex problem of growing imaging demand and a declining radiologist workforce. This study's purpose is to validate the intended benefits of the advanced macro button toolbar system. The validation study includes analysis of existing work relative value units (wRVUs) data versus nationally reported standards and direct observation of eight radiologists reading and report composition processes at an outpatient imaging center in California. The in-person observation process includes a manual time study for radiologist report turnaround time, a count of clicks on the macro button toolbars, and a count of dictation sentences per study. The direct observation process also includes assessing adoption barriers for understanding future system improvement directions. The study found that radiologists using the macro button toolbar system for report composition at any level achieve higher productivity than reported national averages. Frequent or high toolbar users experience the greatest increase in wRVU productivity and largest reduction in report completion time specifically for X-ray exams. The validation study found that report turnaround time and radiologist productivity are improved for all modality studies through use of the advanced macro button toolbar system for report composition.