The effect of novel prompts upon radiologists’ visual search of mammograms

James W. Hatton; David S. Wooding; Alastair G. Gale; Hazel J. Scott

doi:10.1117/12.540430

4 May 2004 The effect of novel prompts upon radiologists’ visual search of mammograms

James W. Hatton, David S. Wooding, Alastair G. Gale, Hazel J. Scott

Proceedings Volume 5372, Medical Imaging 2004: Image Perception, Observer Performance, and Technology Assessment; (2004) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.540430
Event: Medical Imaging 2004, 2004, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Prompting is utilised in CAD systems to draw attention to regions of potential abnormality within screening mammograms. The benefit of such systems is under debate. Our previous research found that radiologists’ visual search patterns were significantly altered when mammographic prompts were displayed. Visual attention concentrated upon prompted areas, with significantly less attention to unprompted regions. Additionally, prompts caused a reduction in the amount of bi-lateral visual comparisons between the two breasts. Current CAD systems use a variety of prompts (e.g. circle and triangle) that appear incongruous to the mammogram and may inadvertently detract attention from unprompted regions. The aim of this experiment was to determine whether attentional focus would continue when using subtle prompts, without resulting in the insufficient search of unprompted areas. A series of paired medio lateral-oblique view mammographic cases were presented to participants on a monitor. Images were presented as "unprompted" and "prompted"- using various methods to highlight potentially abnormal areas. These included typical prompt shapes and also more novel prompts (e.g. altered brightness and colour). Participants were instructed to scan the images as they normally would when screening for abnormalities and to indicate their confidence that an abnormality was present, using a five-point scale. Eye movements were recorded during the task. Results demonstrated that visual attention was drawn to prompted regions. However, the potentially negative influence of prompts upon normal visual search patterns within mammograms was found to be less pronounced in conditions containing novel prompts. By comparing differing prompts during screening it was possible to establish their consequent impact upon visual search patterns. This research contributes to the establishment of optimal prompt displays in soft copy systems.

Citation Download Citation

James W. Hatton, David S. Wooding, Alastair G. Gale, and Hazel J. Scott "The effect of novel prompts upon radiologists’ visual search of mammograms", Proc. SPIE 5372, Medical Imaging 2004: Image Perception, Observer Performance, and Technology Assessment, (4 May 2004); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.540430

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available