The Role of Simulators, Virtual Teaching, and Electronic Handheld Devices in Radiology Education and Image Viewing

George Tsoukatos, BPS, RT(R)

*Digital Radiography Product Specialist, Radiology Support Services, Germantown, NY
Address correspondence to: George Tsoukatos, BPS, RT(R), Radiology Support Services, PO Box 215, Germantown, NY 12526. E-mail: radiologytechnique@gmail.com.

Disclosures: The author reports having no significant financial or advisory relationships with corporate organizations related to this activity.

ABSTRACT

In the last 10 years, advancements in technology have changed what is available to both radiologic technologists and radiologists, not only for their education, but for their day-to-day function. As technology advancements are made in the private and public sectors, they are applied to the medical imaging profession. The role of technology in medical imaging is evident, not only in the education of radiologic technologists and radiology residents, but in how radiologists are now able to view images in a mobile or stationary environment. It is important to examine how these devices can be used as an instructional aid or clinical assessment tool to determine whether they could be used effectively in the educational setting or as a reference tool prior to implementation. The following article will examine various technologic advances, discuss currently available virtual teaching programs, identify methods for incorporating handheld devices into conventional teaching programs, and describe how various mobile products/platforms conform to current compliance standards and regulatory guidelines.