RADiDOC

Name: RADiDOC
Author: University of California, Los Angeles

University of California, Los Angeles

DOCUMENTED

Published in academic literature

For:Clinicians & Healthcare ProfessionalsPatients & Caregivers

Free

Download on the App Store

App Summary

RADiDOC is an educational tool for patients that helps them understand and track their personal radiation exposure from medical imaging procedures like x-rays and CT scans. The associated research discusses how mobile technologies can be integrated into radiology to create more personalized healthcare systems and enhance patient engagement. By providing accessible information on radiation dose and risk, the app aims to help users become more knowledgeable and informed participants in their medical care.

App Screenshots

Detailed Description

Functionality & Mechanism

Developed by academic radiologists, RADiDOC is a digital assistant designed to quantify and track personal radiation exposure from medical imaging. The system operates through three primary modules. A consultation interface provides estimated radiation doses for specific imaging studies queried from its database. A log function enables the calculation and monitoring of cumulative lifetime exposure by capturing user-inputted imaging history. The platform also delivers pedagogical content on fundamental radiation concepts to enhance patient understanding.

Evidence & Research Context

The system integrates data from academic research to provide dose estimates and risk context for a wide array of medical imaging procedures.
Associated research describes the increasing integration of mobile technologies into radiological practice to enhance patient engagement and education.
Educational content within the application is developed and curated by practicing radiologists affiliated with an academic university.

Intended Use & Scope

This application is designed as an educational and personal tracking tool for the general public to foster a better understanding of medical radiation exposure. Its primary utility is to facilitate informed patient-provider conversations. The tool does not provide medical advice, and its dose estimates should not be used to decline medically indicated imaging procedures.

Studies & Publications

1 publication

Peer-reviewed research associated with this app.

Non-Evaluative Reference

Radiology, Mobile Devices, and Internet of Things (IoT)

Gupta et al. (2020) · Journal of Digital Imaging

Referenced in academic literature; no direct evaluation of the app

Radiology by its nature is intricately connected to the Internet and is at the forefront of technology in medicine. The past few years have seen a dramatic rise in Internet-based technology in healthcare, with imaging as a core application. Numerous Internet-based applications and technologies have made forays into medicine, and for radiology it is more seamless than in other clinical specialties. Many applications in the practice of radiology are Internet based and more applications are being added every day. Introduction of mobile devices and their integration into imaging workflow has reinforced the role played by the Internet in radiology. Due to the rapid proliferation of wearable devices and smartphones, IoT-enabled technology is evolving healthcare from conventional hub-based systems to more personalized healthcare systems. This article briefly discusses how the IoT plays a useful role in daily imaging workflow and current and potential future applications, how mobile devices can be integrated into radiology workflows, and the impact of the IoT on resident and medical student education, research, and patient engagement in radiology.

In the Media

Radiologist creates app that simplifies how we talk about radiation exposure

UCLA radiology resident Kevin Seals, MD, developed RADiDOC to help patients and physicians better understand radiation exposure from medical imaging by translating doses into simple, everyday terms like sun exposure or airplane flights. Seals explains that while telling someone a chest x-ray involves "some quantitative number of millisieverts" doesn't mean much, comparing it to "a certain number of flights" makes the risk more comprehensible. The app was released in May in Apple's App Store and allows patients to log their radiation exposure over time.

RadiologybusinessRead article

Mobile App Spotlight: RADiDOC

Dr. Kevin Seals, a radiology resident at UCLA, developed RADiDOC to address the gap between patients wanting radiation risk information and clinicians lacking expertise to explain it accurately. Seals stated that he "wanted to create an app that explains radiation risk in the simplest and most intuitive way possible while also offering a high level of quantitative detail and medical accuracy." The iOS app serves as a personal radiation safety digital assistant, providing dose estimates, cumulative tracking, and educational content for patients, clinicians, and radiologists.

AuntminnieRead article