New report preparation system for endoscopic procedures using speech recognition technology

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS:  We developed a new reporting system based on structured data entry, which selectively extracts only endoscopic findings from endoscopists' oral statements and automatically inputs them into appropriate columns in real time during endoscopic procedures. METHODS:  We compared the time for endoscopic procedures and report preparation (ER time) by using an esophagogastroduodenoscopy simulator in three groups: one preparing reports using a mouse after endoscopic procedures (CE group); a second group preparing reports by using voice alone during endoscopic procedures (SR group); and the final group preparing reports by operating the system with a foot switch and inputting findings using voice during endoscopic procedures (SR + FS group). For the SR and SR + FS groups, we identified the recognition rates of the speech recognition system. RESULTS:  Mean ER times for cases with three findings each were 162, 130 and 119 seconds in the CE, SR and SR + FS groups, respectively. The mean ER times for cases with six findings each were 220, 144 and 128 seconds, respectively. The times in the SR and SR + FS groups were significantly shorter than that in the CE group ( P  < 0.017). The recognition rate of the SR group for cases with three findings each was 98.4 %, and 97.6 % in the same group for cases with six findings each. The rates in the SR + FS group were 95.2 % and 98.4 %, respectively. CONCLUSION:  Our reporting system was demonstrated to allow an endoscopist to efficiently complete the report in real time during endoscopic procedures.