Radiographers between two examinations: precise reporting without losing flow
The patient is done, the images have been taken, and the next referral is already waiting. Somewhere in that workflow, what happened also needs to be documented – accurately enough to be professionally and legally sound.
Your modality has its own pace. The patient is prepared, positioned, the examination is carried out, and then it's ready for the next one. Much of what needs to be documented arises along the way: which protocol was used, whether contrast media was administered, how the patient tolerated the preparation, a deviation from the standard setup. And often, the note must be written in the short interval before the next patient arrives.
It's a documentation workday that differs from that of a doctor's office. You don't sit calmly at a screen between patients – you stand by the equipment, and the information is freshest right as the examination is finished. The question is how you capture the most important information without disrupting the workflow that keeps a busy modality running.
The documentation is closely related to radiation protection.
Radiographers are authorized healthcare professionals, and the duty of documentation applies equally to them as to other healthcare professionals. After Health Personnel Act § 40 The journal shall contain relevant and necessary information about the patient and the healthcare provided, including examinations performed.
In diagnostic imaging, radiation protection regulations are an additional requirement. Radiation Protection Regulations The principles of justification and optimization are applied: the use of radiation must be justified, and the dose must be kept as low as reasonably achievable. The regulations also require that the referral contain sufficient information for the examination to be considered justified, and that the use can be documented and verified. The area is managed by Norwegian Radiation Protection Authority (DSA).
For radiographers, this means that documenting the procedure is not only good professional practice – it is part of the traceability on which radiation protection rests. A precise note about the protocol, parameters, and deviations allows the next person, whether it is the radiologist describing the exam or a later check, to actually trust what was done.
When the note is written afterwards, the details disappear
The challenge is familiar to most people who work at a fast pace: notes are written after the fact. And when even a few minutes pass between completion and documentation, the details fade. You remember the examination went smoothly, but not exactly how the patient reacted to the contrast, or why you had to deviate from the standard protocol.
The precise, observed details are what make a radiographic report clinically useful – and they are also what fade the fastest. We have previously written about how Journaling throughout the workday erodes both quality and surplus, and in a busy modality, that shift is almost built into the workflow. It's not a sign of poor work ethic – it's a consequence of the tools rarely being designed for how the radiographer actually works.
This is how Medivox can be part of the solution
This is where the strength of speech-to-text lies. Medivox listens to what is being said and delivers a structured draft for the medical record – and because it runs in the browser, it requires no heavy hardware in addition to the modality equipment. In practice, this means you can describe the procedure out loud while it is fresh, immediately after an examination: which protocol was used, contrast agent and amount, patient preparation, and any deviations – and let the draft build up along the way, instead of reconstructing everything at the end of the shift.
Because you are building your own templates, the structure can be adapted to the individual modality and type of examination. We have written more about good journal structure in our Guide on how to write a good journal entry. Privacy is protected: personal data is pseudonymized before further processing, and all data processing takes place in Norwegian data centers. And the responsibility remains with you: Medivox writes a draft, but it is the radiologist who reviews, corrects, and approves before anything is stored. The tool handles the documentation, not the professional judgment.
A profession that deserves to be seen
Radiographers are at the technological heart of modern medicine, but rarely top the list when healthcare technology for documentation is discussed – much like several of professions often overlooked in healthcare digitalization. However, the burden of documentation is real, and the requirement for traceability is, if possible, even stricter because it is linked to radiation protection.
When the journal is what connects the referral, execution, and description, the radiographer deserves tools that give back time to what's most important: the patient in bed and the quality of the examination.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do radiographers have an independent duty to document?
Yes. Radiographers are authorized healthcare professionals, and the duty to document relevant and necessary information about healthcare follows from the Health Personnel Act, in addition to the traceability requirements in the radiation protection regulations.
Does speech-to-text work in a busy modality without its own computer at the apparatus?
Yes. Medivox runs in the browser and requires no heavy hardware, so you can describe the findings out loud while they are fresh, between two examinations.
Can the note be customized for different study types?
Yes. You build your own templates, so the structure fits the individual modality – for example, protocol, contrast agent, parameters and deviations.
Who is responsible for what is stated in the medical record when AI writes the draft?
You. Medivox creates a draft based on what was said, but it is the radiologist who reviews, corrects, and approves. You own the record and make the final assessment.
Are the patient details safe?
Personal data is pseudonymized before it is processed further, and all data processing takes place at Norwegian data centers.
Use Medivox for free – Get started completely free
Would you like to see how speech-to-text can fit between two investigations in a busy modality? Contact us – then we will show you how Medivox works with your workflow and your templates.
Sources:
- Lovdata Regulation on Radiation Protection and Use of Radiation (Radiation Protection Regulations)
- Norwegian Radiation Protection Authority (DSA) Medical radiation use
- Norwegian Directorate of Health Health Personnel Act § 40 – Requirements for journal content etc.