Pilot study on the effects of a computer-based medical image system.

Current medical imaging systems are developed for the purpose of data management. Evaluations of these systems are usually done by assessing users' subjective appreciation rather than objectively gauging performance influence. The present report discusses the evaluation of a medical image presentation system prototype utilizing a cognitive approach. Experimental results showed hypothesized performance improvement attributed to advanced presentation techniques. However, this improvement was almost inadvertently masked by users' previous strategies and interactions with new technology. Overall these data demonstrate the potential benefit of implementing such a system in actual practice as well as provide an example of applying the cognitive approach in evaluating the usability of medical systems.