Teleradiology for a Family Practice Center.

WE STUDIED the effect of teleradiology (TR) for radiological consultation in a real life situation with an independent family practice center. The hypotheses tested were (1) that TR provides acceptable diagnostic accuracy and (2) that timely radiological consultation is of value to the family practitioner. In prospective and controlled fashion we performed parallel interpretation of roentgenograms and TR images of these roentgenograms. In addition to evaluating the accuracy of the radiological consultation, we investigated the impact of this report on the family practice physician and patient. MATERIALS AND METHODS The family practice center of the University of Iowa, Iowa City, is an autonomous, separate unit of the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. The study group consisted of 200 consecutive patients who underwent radiography at the family practice center. The study was limited to roentgenograms of the chest and extremities, consistent with radiation protection laws and practice styles in Iowa.