Combining Mobile Devices and Workstations for the Reading of Medical Images

Abstract

We propose a new concept for the combination of mobile multi-touch devices and diagnostic reading workstations to provide a workstation-grade reading experience of medical images with mobile devices. The patient-centric, workflow-oriented design links a mobile device with dedicated diagnostic monitors and adapts the behavior and the presented content of the mobile device depending on the location and access permission level of the user. The design is based on a breast MRI reading system, exploring the suitability of touch interaction for diagnostic reading of MRI patient cases. In this article we discuss the benefits for the radiologist as well as possible challenges and briefly describe the results of an informal evaluation we conducted with radiologists.