Radiology diagnostic exchange agents: clinical term identification and validation

Diagnostic radiology is one of the key areas of clinical diagnosis on which much of the health care system is built. Along with pathology, radiology has a unique role in providing diagnostic information for prognosis, treatment, and management of clinical conditions. This role is clinically challenging due to the problems of knowledge management associated with the free-text radiology reports which are currently the standard of practice for radiology care. In order to address this critical knowledge management problem, we have proposed a solution using the Radiology Diagnostics Exchange Agent, which is under development and will enhance clinical care management. Using a human computation approach, we have started to identify and validate clinically actionable terms on which an information management infrastructure can be developed with important implications for clinical care and research.