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The accuracy of the red dot system : can it improve with training?

Mackay, S; Hargreaves, J

Authors

S Mackay

J Hargreaves



Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate whether the introduction of a training programme for radiographers, covering the basic principles of pattern recognition and fracture detection, could increase their ability to exclude fractures within a red dot system.

Methods: The red dot system is used in trauma radiology to highlight acute abnormalities for the casualty officer. For a period of 8 weeks seven radiographers were monitored with respect to their sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of use of the red dot. These radiographers were then given a 10-week training programme in the basic principles of trauma radiology. Their sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were again monitored for a period of 8 weeks following the training. Statistical analysis was undertaken using a Student's t-test for paired samples working at the 0.05% level of significance.

Results: The accuracy of the radiographers as a group increased from 89.9% before the training to 93% after. Their sensitivity for fracture detection increased from 76.2% to 81.3%. Their specificity for fracture exclusion decreased slightly from 96.4% to 96.1%. These differences were not statistically significant. The false positive rate remained at 3% whereas the false negative rate fell from 7% to 4%.

Conclusions: Although the results were not statistically significant, there is evidence to suggest that in this context training had an overall positive effect on the use of the red dot system by this team of radiographers. Future training programmes should focus on the areas of joint effusion, hand fracture, lower limb fracture and epiphyses which was where the errors arose within this study.

Citation

Mackay, S., & Hargreaves, J. (2003). The accuracy of the red dot system : can it improve with training?. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radi.2003.09.002

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date Nov 1, 2003
Deposit Date Jan 20, 2009
Journal Radiography: an Interational Journal of Diagnostic Imaging and Radiation Therapy
Print ISSN 10788174
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 9
Issue 4
Pages 283-289
DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radi.2003.09.002
Keywords Trauma, accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, image interpretation
Publisher URL http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.radi.2003.09.002
Related Public URLs http://www.elsevier.com/
http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/623068/description#description


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