William F. Auffermann

William Auffermann M.D., Ph.D., currently serves as the Vice Chair for IT and Informatics, Section Chief for the Cardiothoracic Imaging Section, and is a Professor in the Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences at the University of Utah. He is dual board certified in Diagnostic Radiology and Clinical Informatics. The major goals as Vice Chair for IT and Informatics are to improve informatics in the Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences and University of Utah as a whole. He completed his fellowship in cardiothoracic imaging at Duke University and interprets chest and cardiac XRs, CTs, and MRs. He is also a certified NIOSH B-Reader for interpreting radiographs evaluating for occupational lung disease. His research focuses on human factors engineering using our knowledge of medical image perception and perceptual errors to develop computer simulation based educational tools for medical image interpretation. This ongoing research project focuses on integrating human factors research/engineering with new simulation based methods for educating healthcare trainees and practitioners on the evaluation of diagnostic imaging studies. Human factors known to correlate with improved image interpretation and reduced diagnostic errors are incorporated into training algorithms using computer simulation. Subject performance improved as a function of training, with fewer diagnostic/medical errors. Using this paradigm, subjects were able to attain a higher level of proficiency at image interpretation, with fewer diagnostic/interpretive errors, in less training time that would be required for conventional educational methods. Additional research interests include: biomedical informatics, machine learning, structured reporting, and clinical decision support.