Research studies conducted by the Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging
- The Grey Zone: Missed Pediatric Fractures
- The Grey Zone: Missed Intracranial Hemorrhage on Pediatric Head CT
The purpose of these studies is to determine whether an electronic teaching module can improve the diagnostic accuracy of users.
The first "Missed Pediatric Fracture" module is based on research conducted by our group that demonstrated a particular type of fracture, the buckle fracture, is the most commonly missed pathology among radiology residents interpreting pediatric radiology emergency X-rays. The second module, "Intracranial Hemorrhage on Pediatric Head CT" is designed to improve radiology trainee performance in diagnosing the most commonly missed abnormality on pediatric post-trauma head CT scans.
Each module consists of a pre-test, the module itself and a post-test. Each series includes normal and abnormal cases. All abnormal cases are based on actual misdiagnoses by trainees on initial interpretation.
Each case consists of a history and X-ray or CT image(s). The participant reviews the images, looking for abnormalities. If an abnormaility is identified, the participant clicks the screen directly over it. If no abnormality is seen, he / she clicks a "Normal" button.
When registering for the modules, participants are randomized to either a "Test" or a "Control" group.
"Test" group participants are presented with feedback as they progress through the teaching module, and full image interpretations with additional image views are shown upon completion of each case. "Control" group participants are not given feedback as they progress through the teaching module cases.
After 3 months, participants are asked to complete the post-test a second time to evaluate retention of information learned in the original module.
For further information about the modules, please contact:
Mark J. Halsted, MD
Chief, Radiology Informatics Research Core
Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging
Cincinnati Children's
Laurie A Perry, RN
Program Development Specialist
Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging
Cincinnati Children's
Phone: 513-636-8309
Pager: 513-736-1869
