Radiologist
Dr. Gary is a 35 year-old radiologist at a university research hospital in Boston. Always more interested in figuring out how things work and improving the efficiency of his work, Dr. Gary loves playing with PACS filters, hanging protocols, and settings to figure out optimal configurations. He is one of the most knowledgeable doctors in the department when it comes to technology, and is often seen as the person to go to when you are looking for advice or assistance customizing your PACS settings. Dr. Gary is enthusiastic about new technology, follows the latest research, and is eager to give new input devices a try. He is the champion for technology in his department.
During the football season, Dr. Gary is the commissioner for a fantasy-football league that he started in his department. He’s also an avid Patriots fan.
End Goals
Discover hidden tricks/tips that he can share with others.
Help the whole department optimize their use of PACS.
Teach residents the ins and outs of digital radiology.
Gain recognition of his skills as a radiologist.
Evangelize the use of advanced technology in the department.
Experience Goals
Discover better ways of working. Share new features or configurations to help students be more efficient.
Life Goals
Advance in the department.
Advance the state of the art in digital radiology.
Technologist
Kate is a 28 year old radiology technologist. She likes the fast pace of her work - she’s always on her feet helping people. She thinks of the radiology department as her extended family. The technologists in particular are a tight-knit bunch and often go out together after work. Kate is usually busiest in the mornings, and really hates it when she gets behind. She is proficient in PACS use, but she and the other techs all wish it was more efficient. They really only use a tiny subset of the functionality it provides, and frequently PACS slows her down and takes her focus away from her patients as she tries to help them. In the afternoon it doesn’t matter so much, as she doesn’t have as many patients. She enjoys the afternoon because it gives her the opportunity to chat with the patients and other techs a bit more. Kate needs to be able to leave on time so that she can get home and take her two dogs for a walk.
End Goals
Complete the day’s case-load. Ensure improperly captured studies don’t slip through the cracks. Work reasonable and predictable hours to help her better manage her personal life.
Experience Goals
Be efficient in completing her work. Minimize interruptions to others in the department.
Life Goals
Advance her career to become the chief radiologic technologist in her department.
Dr. Ben
Resident Radiologist
Ben is a 27 year old radiology resident at an urban teaching hospital. He is in his first year and is soaking up new information like a sponge. Ben carefully watches attending radiologists to see how they do their job. This includes how they use PACS to make diagnoses, so he is always on the lookout for new tips and tricks to optimize his PACS use. Ben has a journal that he carries to jot down these notes. He also has experience with other PACS systems that he saw during his rotations in med school, so he has an idea of how his current PACS system compares. He and the other residents compare notes, tips, and tricks to help all of them improve. He’s willing to try new things if he expects they will lead to efficiency improvements.
Ben tries to keep active in his free time. He plays in basketball league within his hospital system along with some of his friends. He’s also trying to improve his cooking to impress dates, although he’s been so busy lately that he hasn’t had time to put his new skills into practice.
End Goals
Develop expertise as a radiologist. Earn the respect of colleagues. Develop efficient work patterns.
Experience Goals
Feel supported while learning.
Life Goals
Land a great position as a radiologist. Find a girlfriend.
Radiologist
Dr. Cliff is a 54 year-old radiologist at a small community hospital in Ohio. He went to a prestigious medical school and graduated near the top of his class. Dr. Cliff started his career in the age of film, but is a firm believer in the advantages of digital radiology, since he knows that it makes him more efficient. Dr. Cliff is extremely proud of his work. He views PACS as a tool - something that makes him more productive and should never get in his way. As a result, he is a little bit wary of unnecessary changes to PACS that might adversely affect his work. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it! He just wants to get the job done, and done well.
Dr. Cliff has two sons that he likes to take on fly-fishing trips with him, which he does several times a year. He likes to get home at a reasonable hour so that he can catch up with his family over dinner. He has a regular poker game with a few of his fellow doctors and other successful people in his town. Dr. Cliff is pretty happy with his career. While a promotion would be nice, it’s not a primary motivator for him.
End Goals
Get work done without the system getting in the way.
Be able to go home at a reasonable hour.
Experience Goals
Gain recognition of his expertise as a radiologist.
Gain the respect of his colleagues. Feel that he is helping patients with the diagnoses he performs.
Life Goals
Support his family.
Receive recognition for his accomplishments.
Improve the lives of patients.
Radiologist
Dr. Ellen is a 42 year old radiologist at major urban hospital system in Los Angeles. While most of her colleagues can be thought of as overachievers, Dr. Ellen stands out from the pack in that regard. She graduated at the top of her class from a top-tier medical school, scored a prestigious fellowship as a resident, and has an impressive record of publications in the top journals. The only criticisms levied at her are that maybe she works TOO hard: she consistently works faster than her peers, works long hours every day, and has no personal life to speak of. She is extremely driven - her job is everything.
Dr. Ellen is willing to put in the time to customize PACS to make it fit her workflow because she wants to be as efficient as possible, but she sees PACS as a tool rather than an end in and of itself. Technology comes easily to her, so taking time to learn it inside and out doesn’t seem like a burden to her at all. As a result, her PACS system is highly customized and helps her maintain her impressive throughput and reputation in the department. However, she won’t budge on certain issues. She has read research showing that new input devices will make her more efficient if she changes her work practices a little bit, but she is not willing to do so. She wants PACS to work her way, not the other way round.
End Goals
Understand how to use PACS to do her job most effectively.
Be the most efficient radiologist in her department.
Have a reputation for her productivity and dedication.
Have a reputation for being the best at what she does.
Experience Goals
Be efficient in completing her work.
Life Goals
Have an impressive career.
Leave a lasting legacy and contribute to the field of radiology with her research.
