Predicting the role of touchless technologies within diagnostic radiography : results of an international survey

England, A; Thompson, JD; Littler, E; Tugwell-Allsup, J; Edwards, E

Abstract

Introduction
The evolution of technology within healthcare is continuing at a rapid rate. Touchless technologies (i.e. those involving gestures and voice commands) are rapidly being integrated into daily life. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential role for such technologies within diagnostic radiography.

Methods
An online survey was developed, piloted and deployed using SurveyMonkey as part of an online radiology congress. Eligible respondents were radiographers or radiologic technologists, including students. The survey covered ten themes relating to the potential role of touchless technologies within diagnostic radiography. Results were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics.

Results
155 people completed the questionnaire. 100 (64.9%) were women and clinical experience ranged from 13.5 (0–40) years. The majority, 54 (35.1%), had a Bachelor's degree with respondents being from 23 different countries (five continents). 34 (21.9%) respondents did not personally own nor intended to purchase touchless technologies. 89 (84.8%) respondents saw themselves using touchless technologies, if available on current imaging equipment. 25 (16.0%) respondents reported that they currently have access to touchless technologies within their workplace. 88 (81.5%) and 67 (65.0%) respondents reported that they saw voice and gesture controls as being key in improving exam efficiency.

Conclusion
Participants clearly perceived a role for touchless technologies within diagnostic radiography. Access to such technologies is not yet widely available within X-ray rooms. Voice activated technologies appear more appealing that gesture-based aids. The primary role for such technologies was defined by participants as focusing on improving examination efficiency.

Implications for practice
Touchless technologies have been identified and as important and potentially useful in diagnostic radiography. Collaboration between healthcare institutions, industry and academia is required to design and successfully implement these technologies into practice.

Citation

England, A., Thompson, J., Littler, E., Tugwell-Allsup, J., & Edwards, E. (2021). Predicting the role of touchless technologies within diagnostic radiography : results of an international survey. Radiography, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radi.2021.12.001

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Dec 4, 2021
• Online Publication Date: Dec 25, 2021
• Publication Date: Dec 25, 2021
• Deposit Date: Jan 10, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: Dec 25, 2022
• Journal: Radiography
• Print ISSN: 1078-8174
• Electronic ISSN: 1532-2831
• Publisher: Elsevier
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radi.2021.12.001
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radi.2021.12.001
• Related Public URLs: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/radiography