Impact of filmless radiology on frequency of clinician consultations with radiologists

The purpose of the study was to determine the impact of filmless operation on the relative frequency of in-person consultations in the radiology department between radiologists and clinicians. The transition to filmless operation at the Baltimore Veterans Affairs Medical Center was associated with an 82% reduction in the in-person consultation rate for general radiography and a 44% reduction for cross-sectional imaging despite an increase in the volume of studies. The major reason for this decrease was the convenient access to current and prior images provided by the PACS (picture archiving and communication system). Radiology departments contemplating a transition to filmless operation should prepare for communication with clinicians to shift from being mostly in person to being conducted more and more through electronic forms of communication.