The surgical need for interpretation of radiological images

In these days, as more and more radiological images are reported remotely, and as the range of imaging procedures grows and becomes more specialized, surgeons need a greater understanding of the range of available radiological images and the benefit their interpretation brings to their field. The image interpretation and manipulation skill set needed by a Surgeon in many instances varies dependent upon his clinical specialty and, therefore, the range of imaging procedures involved. Having defined the skills needed, the key challenge is to provide the optimum method of developing these skills. Different approaches are identified which can be taken to develop the skill set through training and education. An Internet based approach, describing how it meets the needs of the surgeon, as well as potential weaknesses, will be discussed. Any training programme should be flexible enough to enable it to be tailored to the skill set and needs of the individual clinician. Examples of specific training approaches for selected clinical areas will be presented identifying individual challenges in different clinical areas.