Læknablaðið - 15.03.1983, Blaðsíða 45

LÆKNABLADID
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applying different scores for credibility to different
rankings of the diagnostic criteria, that is, a confi-
dence rating from the diagnostic pöint of view (fig.
6.10.1.). However, this type of selection by stages
does not by far solve all the problems inherent in
the construction and contents of the roentgen
diagnostic report and/or the roentgen diagnosis.
The result of the roentgen diagnostic examination,
as it is put forward in the roentgen diagnosis and/or
report, may be of four kinds:
A) Variation in morphology of organ (e.g., congeni-
tal anomaly).
B) Functional disorder, example: achalasia cardiae.
C) Not clearly definable yet pathological changes
in organ, example: infiltration of lung.
D) Clearly defined diagnosis, e.g., fractura femoris,
ulcus duodeni.
E) Borderline cases.
Thus, although theoretically possible, it is very
difficult to construct a roentgen diagnostic code in
such a way that all definitions within the sectors of
the code are completely clear and unambiguous.
The rather complex communicative role of the
radiologist is stressed, referring to the behavioural
processes described in Chapter 4., where the radio-
logist is bound to such processes leading to diagno-
sis/description, based on radiographic information
contents, experience and knowledge. He is also
obliged to convert his interpretation into a lucid and
objective language which must be common to
himself and his colleagues in other specialities.
The experience gained in the usage of the
described examination-diagnostic code system
seems to confirm that the system has functioned
without major draw-backs for statistical, retrieval
and retrospective research purposes. A few selected
instances are described in Chapter 7.
(Literature references in this chapter: 10, 11, 20,
22, 26, 34, 60, 67- 71.)
Chapter 7. Efficiency and use of coding-systems
As earlier described the aims of the systems
designed were to facilitate storage and enhance the
retrieval of information considered useful for stati-
stical, administrative and scientific purposes.
In this chapter a summary is given of a number of
publications and projects based partly or exclusively
on the usage of computerstored information at the
Department of Radiology of the City Hospital
Reykjavík, lceland. These include: 7.1.: Yearly statis-
tical and progress reports comprising evaluation of
various aspects of work-load besides conventional
tabulation of number/type of examination, Master-
list of examinations/diagnoses and demographic
information.
7.2. and 7.7.;Comprehensive analysis of the trends
and evolution within Radiology in Iceland in the
seventh and eighth decades.
7.3., 7.4., 7.5.: Discussions on various topics within
the system; such as Demographic Information.
Work-Load and Value of Retrieved Diagnostic
Information.
7.6., 7.8.: Description of two clinical studies, one
on lower back pain, the other on cancer of colon,
where the information is principally retrieved from
the above-mentioned computer-based system.