Effect of training and experience on radiologic diagnostic performance in midfacial trauma

In a retrospective approach the medical records and radiographs of 618 patients with midfacial trauma were reviewed by radiologists who were classified into four groups according to the length of their training and experience. Initially reported diagnoses were compared with discharge diagnoses, and the impact of training and experience on diagnostic performance was assessed. The same parameters were also investigated in a prospective study. Neither of the investigations revealed any statistically significant improvement in diagnostic performance with increased training and experience. After the basic radiologic education, innate perceptive and cognitive abilities seem to have a larger influence on radiologic diagnostic preformance than training and experience. (orig.)