A 2009 survey conducted by Manhattan Research reported that more than 60% of physicians are using smartphones, a number that is expected to jump another 20% by 2012. In addition, according to a report from American Medical News, physicians may soon be able to conduct medical imaging analysis and make diagnostic decisions straight from their smartphone. In fact, there is already application software in development that has proven accurate and efficient in clinical trials.
For example, a recent study by the Radiological Society of North America found a majority of radiologists were able to correctly diagnose appendicitis by accessing Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS) using an iPhone app.
The study was conducted by Dr. Asim Choudhri, a radiologist at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore. It examined 125 total viewings of pelvic and abdominal X-rays using OsiriX, a medical imaging analysis smartphone application that allows physicians to access records. Of the 125 smartphone viewings, an accurate diagnosis of appendicitis was made 124 times.
While proven accurate in the initial testing phase, integrating smartphone apps with PACS technology has other significant benefits:
- Consultation capabilities with off-site physicians
- Efficient and more immediate sharing of information
- Diagnostic capabilities when immediate lab access is unavailable
However, medical imaging analysis using clinical smartphone applications are not without limitations. During his research, Dr. Choudhri found that the small screen size of a smartphone did create some minor issues with measurement accuracy. He also stressed that smartphone applications are by no means a replacement or superior alternative to traditional analysis.
Tell us, would you benefit from using smartphone application technology for medical imaging analysis?
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