Feasibility of using a biowatch to monitor GSR as a measure of radiologists' stress and fatigue

Elizabeth A. Krupinski; Lea MacKinnon; Bruce I. Reiner

doi:10.1117/12.2077306

Feasibility of using a biowatch to monitor GSR as a measure of radiologists' stress and fatigue

Elizabeth A. Krupinski, Lea MacKinnon, Bruce I. Reiner

Medical Imaging

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

We have been investigating the impact of fatigue on diagnostic performance of radiologists interpreting medical images. In previous studies we found evidence that eye strain could be objectively measured and that it correlates highly with degradations in diagnostic accuracy as radiologists work long hours. Eye strain however can be difficult to measure in a non-invasive and continuous manner over the work day so we have been investigating other ways to measure physiological stress and fatigue. In this study we evaluated the feasibility of using a commercially available biowatch to measure galvanic skin response (GSR), a well known indicator of stress. 10 radiology residents wore the biowatch for about 8 hours during their normal work day and data were automatically collected at 10 Hz. They completed the Swedish Occupational Fatigue Inventory (SOFI) at the start and finish of the day. GSR values (microsiemens) ranged from 0.14 to 38.27 with an average of 0.50 (0.28 median). Overall GSR tended to be fairly constant as the day progressed, but there were definite spikes indicating higher levels of stress. SOFI scores indicated greater levels of fatigue and stress at the end of the work day. Although further work is needed, GSR measurements obtained via an easy to wear watch may provide a means to monitor stress/fatigue and alert radiologists when to take a break from interpreting images to avoid making errors.

Original language	English (US)
Title of host publication	Medical Imaging 2015
Subtitle of host publication	Image Perception, Observer Performance, and Technology Assessment
Editors	Claudia R. Mello-Thoms, Matthew A. Kupinski, Claudia R. Mello-Thoms
Publisher	SPIE
ISBN (Electronic)	9781628415063
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2077306
State	Published - 2015
Event	Medical Imaging 2015: Image Perception, Observer Performance, and Technology Assessment - Orlando, United States Duration: Feb 25 2015 → Feb 26 2015

Publication series

Name	Progress in Biomedical Optics and Imaging - Proceedings of SPIE
Volume	9416
ISSN (Print)	1605-7422

Other

Other	Medical Imaging 2015: Image Perception, Observer Performance, and Technology Assessment
Country/Territory	United States
City	Orlando
Period	2/25/15 → 2/26/15

Keywords

Fatigue
GSR
biowatch
stress

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging
Biomaterials

Access to Document

10.1117/12.2077306

Cite this

Krupinski, E. A., MacKinnon, L., & Reiner, B. I. (2015). Feasibility of using a biowatch to monitor GSR as a measure of radiologists' stress and fatigue. In C. R. Mello-Thoms, M. A. Kupinski, & C. R. Mello-Thoms (Eds.), Medical Imaging 2015: Image Perception, Observer Performance, and Technology Assessment Article 941613 (Progress in Biomedical Optics and Imaging - Proceedings of SPIE; Vol. 9416). SPIE. https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2077306

Feasibility of using a biowatch to monitor GSR as a measure of radiologists' stress and fatigue. / Krupinski, Elizabeth A.; MacKinnon, Lea; Reiner, Bruce I.
Medical Imaging 2015: Image Perception, Observer Performance, and Technology Assessment. ed. / Claudia R. Mello-Thoms; Matthew A. Kupinski; Claudia R. Mello-Thoms. SPIE, 2015. 941613 (Progress in Biomedical Optics and Imaging - Proceedings of SPIE; Vol. 9416).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution

Krupinski, EA, MacKinnon, L & Reiner, BI 2015, Feasibility of using a biowatch to monitor GSR as a measure of radiologists' stress and fatigue. in CR Mello-Thoms, MA Kupinski & CR Mello-Thoms (eds), Medical Imaging 2015: Image Perception, Observer Performance, and Technology Assessment., 941613, Progress in Biomedical Optics and Imaging - Proceedings of SPIE, vol. 9416, SPIE, Medical Imaging 2015: Image Perception, Observer Performance, and Technology Assessment, Orlando, United States, 2/25/15. https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2077306

Krupinski EA, MacKinnon L, Reiner BI. Feasibility of using a biowatch to monitor GSR as a measure of radiologists' stress and fatigue. In Mello-Thoms CR, Kupinski MA, Mello-Thoms CR, editors, Medical Imaging 2015: Image Perception, Observer Performance, and Technology Assessment. SPIE. 2015. 941613. (Progress in Biomedical Optics and Imaging - Proceedings of SPIE). doi: 10.1117/12.2077306

Krupinski, Elizabeth A. ; MacKinnon, Lea ; Reiner, Bruce I. / Feasibility of using a biowatch to monitor GSR as a measure of radiologists' stress and fatigue. Medical Imaging 2015: Image Perception, Observer Performance, and Technology Assessment. editor / Claudia R. Mello-Thoms ; Matthew A. Kupinski ; Claudia R. Mello-Thoms. SPIE, 2015. (Progress in Biomedical Optics and Imaging - Proceedings of SPIE).

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Feasibility of using a biowatch to monitor GSR as a measure of radiologists' stress and fatigue

Abstract

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Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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