If there was one overwhelming take home lesson for me at RSNA 2014, it was related to the necessity of using structured format reporting. Among the sessions I attended included a workshop on Structured Format Reporting, and the audience poll in the session indicated that the growing majority of radiologists are currently using it.
The summary of the session was as follows:
a) Structured format reporting is today the standard of care – it is the reporting format recommended by the RSNA and the ACR also supports/recommends its use.
b) It is a definite efficiency tool, due to its reproducibility and predictability
c) It enhances reporting accuracy by creating a checklist, which ensure completeness of review.
d) It allows for more efficient data tracking and research.
e) It is conducive to better billing practices.
f) It is linked with better patient outcomes as the reports can be customized and tailored to specific clinical parameters
g) It is incorporated into many current RIS/Voice Recognition systems
I asked a question to Dr Curtis Langlotz who moderated the session on whether using bulleted template reports affects the esthetics of a report. His response was very categorical. He commented that the bulleted template format could be used in the body of the report to list the findings, while the impression can still (and should) be customized by the radiologist to convey the clinical diagnosis or differential, thereby achieving both functional utility and esthetics. This is similar to what Dr Mike Bruno had previously said in his e-lecture to us, which is that the minority of clinicians (<50%) read the findings and the majority only read the impression. Dr Langlotz further used the airline analogy and pointed out that the use of a checklist/template was critical for safety and it would be inappropriate for an airline pilot to not use it in this day, based on esthetic preference.
The RSNA has itself created a website to promote structured format reporting which is radreport.org. There is another version of this site (open.radreport.org) which allows one to modify the templates provided and personalize them. Further there are technology tools such as MRRT and T-Rex which allow for the templates to be efficiently incorporated into the RIS.
Efficiency is the name of the game in radiology today and any effort made towards this goal can only be of value.