Masters Applied Projects
Project 6
Impact of Fatigue on Radiologists During Prolonged Image Reading Sessions
Student:
Morgan Johnson
Mentors:
Dr. Aurel Coza - Adidas-ASU Center for Engagement Science
Dr. Stephen Helms Tillery - SBHSE
Dr. Rosalind Sadleir - SBHSE
YouTube Link:
View the video link below before joining the zoom meeting
Zoom link:
https://medtronic.zoom.us/my/sarah.b.soaf?pwd=d0xqYkcrcGRMakFxME5KSTloNFluZz09
Abstract:
The effects of prolonged visually fatiguing tasks on radiologists are largely unknown. It is known that after lengthy exposure to visually demanding tasks, visual information processing and perception decline. Previous studies have found that decreasing saccade velocity is an accurate indicator of fatigue in radiologists. This study examines the factors that lead to fatigue in radiology experts. Physiological, oculomotor, and cognitive/emotional features were tracked throughout the day as radiology experts were reading patient images. Body temperature, galvanic skin response, and heart rate variability were collected to indicate the balance between the parasympathetic nervous system and sympathetic nervous system. Accelerations were collected for the derivation of micromotions. Gaze and pupillometry data provided information about the saccades, fixations, and visual activity. The radiologist’s face was recorded to determine the expression of six basic emotions. Preliminary results show that within the first two hours of reading scans there is a lasting decrease in saccade and gaze velocity. The data from this study will be used to create a timeline of fatigue in radiologists. Furthermore, the relation between the quality of the medical act and patient number, time of day, and day of the week can be investigated. The application of this information may alleviate the negative effects of strain radiologists’ experience and improve their work overall.