Patent Publication Number: US-2013231946-A1

Title: Diagnostic reading report generation supporting system, diagnostic reading report generation supporting apparatus, and diagnostic reading requesting apparatus

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-47089, filed on Mar. 2, 2012, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD 
     The present embodiment as an aspect of the present invention relates to a diagnostic reading report generation supporting system, a diagnostic reading report generation supporting apparatus, and a diagnostic reading requesting apparatus that support generation of a diagnostic reading report. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Some diagnostic reading report generation supporting systems are made up of a medical imaging apparatus, a medical image server apparatus, a diagnostic reading report server apparatus, a viewer apparatus, and a diagnostic reading report generation supporting apparatus. In such a diagnostic reading report generation supporting system, a diagnostic reader (person) can attach, to his/her medical comment, a fixed phrase associated with examination information and imaging region information through a particular operation, in order to generate a diagnostic reading report. 
     Some diagnostic reading report generation supporting system are located in the respective hospitals and configured to be connected with each other via a network. In the diagnostic reading report generation supporting system, a report generator (person) of a diagnostic reading report comes and goes among the plurality of hospitals, and generates a diagnostic reading report in each hospital. The diagnostic reading report generation supporting system may have a remote diagnostic reading function of requesting, from a given hospital, a diagnostic reading specialized institution to make a diagnostic reading and acquiring diagnostic reading results from a diagnostic reading center. 
     According to a conventional technique, fixed phrase character information of fixed phrases that are candidates of a medical comment to be inputted to a medical comment section is displayed on a diagnostic reading report generation screen displayed at the time of generation of a diagnostic reading report. In the case where a large number of fixed phrases exist as in an endoscopic examination and the like, however, it is necessary to display fixed phrase character information of the large number of fixed phrases as candidates of a medical comment. In that case, an operation such as a scrolling operation for display switching by a report generator is essential, and hence the diagnostic reading efficiency of the report generator at the time of generation of a diagnostic reading report is low. 
     Further, the contents of fixed phrases are different for each report generator, each hospital, and each examination. For fixed phrases used at the time of generation of a diagnostic reading report, the contents of fixed phrases displayed on the basis of examination information can be changed, but display format information of the fixed phrases cannot be changed. Accordingly, fixed phrases best suited to generate a diagnostic reading report are not necessarily displayed on a screen, and hence the diagnostic reading efficiency of the report generator is low. 
     Furthermore, a given report generator may come and go between different hospitals (a first hospital and a second hospital) to make a diagnostic reading. Even if fixed phrase character information is registered in the first hospital, in the case where the fixed phrase character information registered in the first hospital is used in the second hospital, the fixed phrase character information needs to be registered again in the second hospital. Otherwise, the fixed phrase character information is exported from (written out of) the first hospital in which the information has already been registered, in the form of a file, and the exported result is transmitted to the second hospital to be imported to (read in) the second hospital. In this manner, the fixed phrase character information needs to be transferred for use. In those cases, the re-registration work, the write-out work, and the read-in work require time and effort, and hence the diagnostic reading efficiency of the report generator is low. 
     In addition, generation of a diagnostic reading report may be requested from a hospital to a specialized institution such as a diagnostic reading center. The hospital as the request source does not have the way of transmitting fixed phrase character information desired to be used, to the specialized institution as the request destination, and it is difficult for the specialized institution as the diagnostic reading request destination to generate a diagnostic reading report including the fixed phrase character information desired by the hospital as the diagnostic reading request source. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In accompanying drawings, 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a diagnostic reading report generation supporting system according to a first embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the diagnostic reading report generation supporting apparatus; 
         FIG. 3  is a diagram illustrating an example of a first table managed by a database; 
         FIG. 4  is a diagram illustrating an example of a second table managed by a database; 
         FIG. 5  is a diagram illustrating an example of a third table managed by a database; 
         FIG. 6  is a diagram illustrating an example of a fourth table managed by a database; 
         FIG. 7  is a diagram illustrating a fifth table as a modified example of the first to fourth tables; 
         FIG. 8  is a diagram illustrating a sixth table as a modified example of the first and second tables; 
         FIG. 9  is a flow chart illustrating an operation of the diagnostic reading report generation supporting system according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 10  is a diagram illustrating an example of a diagnostic reading report generation screen; 
         FIGS. 11A and 11B  are diagrams each illustrating a method of selecting a fixed phrase name information item from a list of a fixed phrase name information items; 
         FIG. 12  is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a diagnostic reading report generation supporting system according to a second embodiment; 
         FIG. 13  is a diagram illustrating an example of a first table managed by a database; 
         FIG. 14  is a diagram illustrating an example of a second table managed by a database; 
         FIG. 15  is a diagram illustrating an example of a third table managed by a database; 
         FIG. 16  is a diagram illustrating an example of a fourth table managed by a database; 
         FIG. 17  is a flow chart illustrating an operation of the diagnostic reading report generation supporting system according to the second embodiment; 
         FIG. 18  is a flow chart illustrating an operation of the diagnostic reading report generation supporting system according to the second embodiment; 
         FIG. 19  is a flow chart illustrating an operation of the diagnostic reading report generation supporting system according to the second embodiment; 
         FIG. 20  is a diagram illustrating an example of a transmission screen; 
         FIG. 21  is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a diagnostic reading report generation supporting system according to a third embodiment; 
         FIG. 22  is a flow chart illustrating an operation of the diagnostic reading report generation supporting system according to the third embodiment; 
         FIG. 23  is a flow chart illustrating an operation of the diagnostic reading report generation supporting system according to the third embodiment; and 
         FIG. 24  is a diagram illustrating an example of a diagnostic reading request screen. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A diagnostic reading report generation supporting system, a diagnostic reading report generation supporting apparatus, and a diagnostic reading requesting apparatus according to the present embodiment are described with reference to the attached drawings. 
     To solve the above-described problems, the diagnostic reading report generation supporting system according to the present embodiment includes: a first storage configured to store a medical image; a second storage configured to store: user identification information on a diagnostic reading requester; examination information on an examination for collecting the medical image; fixed phrase name information that is character information for identifying a fixed phrase; and fixed phrase character information that is character information of the fixed phrase; a first extraction unit configured to extract a medical image as a diagnostic reading target, from the first storage; a second extraction unit configured to extract a fixed phrase name information item corresponding to a required user identification information item and examination information item, from the second storage; and a transmission unit configured to transmit diagnostic reading request information including: the extracted medical image; the extracted fixed phrase name information item; and a user identification information item, an examination information item and a fixed phrase character information item associated with the extracted fixed phrase name information item, to an external apparatus via a network. 
     To solve the above-described problems, the diagnostic reading report generation supporting apparatus according to the present embodiment includes: a first storage configured to store a medical image; a second storage configured to store: user identification information on a diagnostic reading requester; examination information on an examination for collecting the medical image; fixed phrase name information that is character information for identifying a fixed phrase; and fixed phrase character information that is character information of the fixed phrase; a first extraction unit configured to extract a medical image as a diagnostic reading target, from the first storage; a second extraction unit configured to extract a fixed phrase name information item corresponding to a required user identification information item and examination information item, from the second storage; and a transmission unit configured to transmit diagnostic reading request information including: the extracted medical image; the extracted fixed phrase name information item; and a user identification information item, an examination information item and a fixed phrase character information item associated with the extracted fixed phrase name information item, to an external apparatus via a network. 
     To solve the above-described problems, the diagnostic reading report generation supporting system according to the present embodiment includes: a storage configured to store: user identification information on a diagnostic reading requester; examination information on an examination for collecting the medical image; fixed phrase name information that is character information for identifying a fixed phrase; and fixed phrase character information that is character information of the fixed phrase; an extraction unit configured to extract a fixed phrase name information item corresponding to a required user identification information item and examination information item, from the storage; and a transmission unit configured to transmit diagnostic reading request information including: the extracted fixed phrase name information item; and a user identification information item, an examination information item and a fixed phrase character information item associated with the extracted fixed phrase name information item, to an external apparatus via a network. 
     To solve the above-described problems, the diagnostic reading requesting apparatus according to the present embodiment includes: an extraction unit configured to extract a fixed phrase name information item corresponding to a required user identification information item and examination information item, from an extraction unit configured to extract a fixed phrase name information item corresponding to a required user identification information item and examination information item, from a storage which store: user identification information on a diagnostic reading requester; examination information on an examination for collecting the medical image; fixed phrase name information that is character information for identifying a fixed phrase; and fixed phrase character information that is character information of the fixed phrase; and a transmission unit configured to transmit diagnostic reading request information including: the extracted fixed phrase name information item; and a user identification information item, an examination information item and a fixed phrase character information item associated with the extracted fixed phrase name information item, to an external apparatus via a network. 
     First Embodiment 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a diagnostic reading report generation supporting system according to a first embodiment. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a diagnostic reading report generation supporting system  1  according to the first embodiment. The diagnostic reading report generation supporting system  1  is installed in a medical institution (hospital)  10 . The hospital  10  includes a medical imaging apparatus (modality)  11 , a medical image server apparatus  12 , a diagnostic reading report server apparatus  13 , a viewer apparatus for observation  14 , a viewer apparatus for diagnostic reading  15 , a diagnostic reading report generation supporting apparatus  16 , and a database group  17  ( 17 - 1  to  17 - 4 ). These apparatuses are mutually communicable via a network Na such as a backbone local area network (LAN). Note that the number(s) of the entirety or a part of the apparatuses  11  to  16  installed in the hospital  10  may be more than one. 
     The medical imaging apparatus  11  photographs an image of examination imaging region information of a patient as an object, and generates a medical image of the examination imaging region information as medical data. The generated medical image is transmitted as DICOM data to the medical image server apparatus  12 . Examples of the medical imaging apparatus  11  includes an endoscopic examination apparatus, an X-ray diagnosis apparatus, an X-ray computed tomography (CT) apparatus, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus, an ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus, and a nuclear medicine diagnosis apparatus. 
     The medical image server apparatus  12  stores the image data collected by the medical imaging apparatus  11 . The medical image server apparatus  12  provides the image data to the viewer apparatuses  14  and  15  in response to requests from the viewer apparatuses  14  and  15 . Note that the medical image server apparatus  12  has functions concerning the medical image such as differencing with time, integration (fusion), multi-planar reconstruction (MPR), 3D display conversion, and supplementary information management. In the case of storing the image data, the medical image server apparatus  12  transmits supplementary information attached to the image data to the diagnostic reading report server apparatus  13 . The supplementary information contains an acceptance number, patient information, examination information, and the like. Examples of the patient information include a patient identification (ID) and a patient name. Examples of the examination information include examination type information (CT, MR, and the like) and imaging region information of the object. 
     The diagnostic reading report server apparatus  13  receives the supplementary information from the medical image server apparatus  12 , and stores a diagnostic reading report before input (a diagnostic reading report in which a disease case input section, a medical comment input section, and other such sections are blank) including the received supplementary information, in association with its acceptance number. Then, the diagnostic reading report server apparatus  13  provides the diagnostic reading report before input to the diagnostic reading report generation supporting apparatus  16  in response to a request from the diagnostic reading report generation supporting apparatus  16 . The diagnostic reading report server apparatus  13  stores as appropriate a diagnostic reading report after input generated by a diagnostic reader, and provides the diagnostic reading report to the viewer apparatus for observation  14  in response to a request from the viewer apparatus for observation  14 . 
     The viewer apparatus for observation  14  displays the medical image stored in the medical image server apparatus  12 , the diagnostic reading report after input stored in the diagnostic reading report server apparatus  13 , and the like. The viewer apparatus for observation  14  is installed in, for example, a consultation room in the hospital, and provides the medical image and the diagnostic reading report to a doctor in charge of the patient. The viewer apparatus for observation  14  enables the doctor in charge to view the medical image and the diagnostic reading report. 
     The viewer apparatus for diagnostic reading  15  displays the medical image stored in the medical image server apparatus  12 , the diagnostic reading report before input stored in the diagnostic reading report server apparatus  13 , and the like. The viewer apparatus for diagnostic reading  15  is installed in, for example, a diagnostic reading room in the hospital, and provides the medical image to a report generator such as the diagnostic reader who generates the diagnostic reading report. The viewer apparatus for diagnostic reading  15  enables the report generator to view the medical image as the diagnostic reading target. 
     The diagnostic reading report generation supporting apparatus  16  supports generation work of the report generator on the diagnostic reading report before input (before registration) stored in the diagnostic reading report server apparatus  13 . The diagnostic reading report generation supporting apparatus  16  is installed in, for example, the diagnostic reading room in the hospital next to the viewer apparatus for diagnostic reading  15 , and supports generation work when the report generator generates the diagnostic reading report. Note that the report generator generates the diagnostic reading report on the medical image as the diagnostic reading target using the diagnostic reading report generation supporting apparatus  16  while viewing the medical image displayed on the viewer apparatus for diagnostic reading  15 . 
       FIG. 2  is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the diagnostic reading report generation supporting apparatus  16 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the diagnostic reading report generation supporting apparatus  16  includes a controller  41 , a storage device  42 , an input device  43 , a display device  44 , and a communication device  45 . The units  41  to  45  are electrically connected to one another via a bus B. 
     The controller  41  is configured by a microprocessor and the like that control the other units. The controller  41  controls the other units on the basis of various programs and data items stored in the storage device  42 . Particularly in response to an input operation on the input device  43  by the report generator, the controller  41  controls the other units on the basis of the programs and the data items. Further, on the basis of the various programs, the controller  41  performs: a series of data handling for calculation or processing of the various data items; an image display process for displaying images of diagnostic reading reports; and the like. 
     The storage device  42  is configured by a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a flash memory, or the like that stores the various programs and data items. The storage device  42  is a memory that stores the various programs such as an activation program executed by the controller  41 , and is a memory that also functions as a work area of the controller  41 . Note that the activation program is read out and executed by the controller  41  at the time of activation of the diagnostic reading report generation supporting apparatus  16 . 
     The input device  43  is configured by input devices such as a mouse and a keyboard. The input device  43  is an operation unit on which the report generator (user) such as the diagnostic reader performs an input operation. The input device  43  is used, for example, when the report generator generates a diagnostic reading report. 
     The display device  44  is configured by a liquid crystal display, a cathode ray tube (CRT) display, and the like. The display device  44  is a display apparatus that performs a display operation for displaying a diagnostic reading report for report generation. 
     The communication device  45  is a communication interface that makes communications with external apparatuses via a network N. Examples of the external apparatuses include the medical image server apparatus  12 , the diagnostic reading report server apparatus  13 , the viewer apparatus for diagnostic reading  15 , and the databases  17 - 1  to  17 - 4 . 
     Returning back to the description of  FIG. 1 , the database  17 - 1  stores a first table T 1 . In the first table T 1 , fixed phrase identification information is associated with the combination of: user identification information; examination information (for example, examination type information indicating the type of the medical imaging apparatus  11  and imaging region information) of an examination for collecting medical images; and fixed phrase name information that is simple character information for identifying a fixed phrase. 
       FIG. 3  is a diagram illustrating an example of the first table T 1  managed by the database  17 - 1 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , if desired fixed phrase name information is registered to the combination of user identification information and examination information, a fixed phrase identification information item “101” is associated therewith. That is, in the first table T 1 , the fixed phrase identification information item “101” is associated with the combination of: a user identification information item “AB001”; an examination type information item “CT” and an imaging region information item “head region” as the examination information; and a fixed phrase name information item “11 for CT”. Similarly, in the first table T 1 , a fixed phrase identification information item “102” is associated with the combination of: the user identification information item “AB001”; the examination type information item “CT” and an imaging region information item “ALL (all imaging regions)” as the examination information; and a fixed phrase name information item “12 for CT”. It is discussed here that the user identification information item “AB001” and the examination type information item “CT” and the imaging region information item “head region” as the examination information are set as the conditions. In that case, the fixed phrase identification information items “101”, “102”, and “106” and the fixed phrase name information items “11 for CT”, “12 for CT”, and “common 11” are extracted on the basis of the first table T 1 . Note that procedure information, contrast agent information, and the like may be considered as the examination information. Alternatively, fixed phrase identification information may be associated with the combination of user identification information, examination information, fixed phrase name information, and hospital information. 
     Returning back to the description of  FIG. 1 , the database  17 - 2  stores a second table T 2 . In the second table T 2 , fixed phrase identification information is associated with the combination of: fixed phrase name display position information indicating a display position of fixed phrase name information; and fixed phrase character information that is character information of a fixed phrase. 
       FIG. 4  is a diagram illustrating an example of the second table T 2  managed by the database  17 - 2 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , in the second table T 2 , the fixed phrase identification information item “101” is associated with the combination of: a fixed phrase name display position information item “1, 2, 3, 4, or 5”; and a fixed phrase character information item “Compared with the last examination . . . ”. That is, the fixed phrase identification information item “101” may be displayed at the position of a fixed phrase name display position information item “1”, and may be displayed at the position of a fixed phrase name display position information item “5”. It is discussed here that the user identification information item “AB001” and the examination type information item “CT” and the imaging region information item “head region” as the examination information are set as the conditions. In that case, the fixed phrase identification information items “101”, “102”, and “106” and the fixed phrase name information items “11 for CT”, “12 for CT”, and “common 11” are extracted on the basis of the first table T 1  illustrated in  FIG. 3 . Further, the fixed phrase name display position information items “1, 2, 3, 4, or 5”, “1, 2, 3, 4, or 5”, and “5” and the fixed phrase character information items “Compared with the last examination . . . ”, “re-examination required”, and “nothing abnormal detected” corresponding to the extracted fixed phrase identification information items “101”, “102”, and “106” are extracted on the basis of the second table T 2  illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
     In the second table T 2 , for example, a medical comment sentence that is directly inputted through an input operation by the report generator is registered as fixed phrase character information, and, after input of a medical comment sentence, the medical comment sentence is copied and registered as fixed phrase character information. 
     Returning back to the description of  FIG. 1 , the database  17 - 3  stores a third table T 3 . In the third table T 3 , user identification information is associated with display format information for displaying a fixed phrase. 
       FIG. 5  is a diagram illustrating an example of the third table T 3  managed by the database  17 - 3 . 
     It is discussed here that the user identification information item “AB001” and the examination type information item “CT” and the imaging region information item “head region” as the examination information are set as the conditions. In that case, a display format information item “101” corresponding to the user identification information item “AB001” is extracted on the basis of the third table T 3  illustrated in  FIG. 5 . 
     Returning back to the description of  FIG. 1 , the database  17 - 4  stores a fourth table T 4 . In the fourth table T 4 , display format information is associated with syntactic information (XML format). 
       FIG. 6  is a diagram illustrating an example of the fourth table T 4  managed by the database  17 - 4 . 
     It is discussed here that the user identification information item “AB001” and the examination type information item “CT” and the imaging region information item “head region” as the examination information are set as the conditions. In that case, the display format information item “101” corresponding to the user identification information item “AB001” is extracted on the basis of the third table T 3  illustrated in  FIG. 5 . Further, syntactic information corresponding to the extracted display format information item “101” is extracted on the basis of the fourth table T 4  illustrated in  FIG. 6 . 
     On a setting screen (not illustrated), a given user designates the user identification information item “AB001” with regard to the examination type information item “CT” and the imaging region information item “head region” as the examination information, and designates fixed phrase name display position information, fixed phrase character information, and syntactic information. In that case, fixed phrase identification information and fixed phrase name information (a fixed phrase name that does not coincide with fixed phrase names that have already been registered) are determined and registered to the tables T 1  to T 4 . 
       FIG. 7  is a diagram illustrating a fifth table as a modified example of the tables T 1  to T 4 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , in the fifth table T 5 , the fixed phrase identification information item “101” is associated with the combination of: the user identification information item “AB001”; the examination type information item “CT” and the imaging region information item “head region” as the examination information; the fixed phrase name information item “11 for CT”; a fixed phrase display position information item “0 in abscissa, 0 in ordinate”; a fixed phrase display size information item “50 in width×20 in height”; and the display format information item “101”. Similarly, in the fifth table T 5 , the fixed phrase identification information item “102” is associated with the combination of: the user identification information item “AB001”; the examination type information item “CT” and the imaging region information item “ALL (all imaging regions)” as the examination information; the fixed phrase name information item “12 for CT”; a fixed phrase display position information item “0, 30”; the fixed phrase display size information item “50×20”; and the display format information item “101”. 
     For the fifth table T 5 , it is discussed here that the user identification information item “AB001” and the examination type information item “CT” and the imaging region information item “head region” as the examination information are set as the conditions. In that case, a list P of fixed phrase name information items (illustrated in  FIG. 10 ,  FIG. 11A , and  FIG. 11B ) is generated on a diagnostic reading report generation screen. In the list P, the fixed phrase name information items “11 for CT”, “12 for CT”, and “common 11” corresponding to the fixed phrase identification information items “101”, “102”, and “106” are respectively arranged in accordance with the display position information items “0, 0”, “0, 30”, and “500, 0” so as to have sizes according to the display size information items “50 in width×20 in height”, “50×20”, and “50×20”. Then, in that case, the list P of the fixed phrase name information items is generated in a format suited to the display format information item “101”. 
       FIG. 8  is a diagram illustrating a sixth table as a modified example of the first and second tables. 
     The sixth table T 6  illustrated in  FIG. 8  is configured by the combination of the first table T 1  illustrated in  FIG. 3  and the second table T 2  illustrated in  FIG. 4 , and is stored in the database  17 - 1  instead of the first table T 1 . In this case, the database  17 - 2  is not necessary. It is discussed here that the user identification information item “AB001” and the examination type information item “CT” and the imaging region information item “head region” as the examination information are set as the conditions. In that case, the fixed phrase identification information items “101”, “102”, and “106”, the fixed phrase name information items “11 for CT”, “12 for CT”, and “common 11”, and the fixed phrase name display position information items “1, 2, 3, 4, or 5”, “1, 2, 3, 4, or 5”, and “5” are extracted on the basis of the sixth table T 6 . 
     Note that the fixed phrase identification information and the fixed phrase name information described with reference to  FIG. 3 , the fixed phrase name display position information described with reference to  FIG. 4 , the display format information described with reference to  FIG. 5 , and the syntactic information described with reference to  FIG. 6  may be acquired not from the databases but from particular folders in the diagnostic reading report generation supporting system  1 , in the form of a file. 
     Note that, in the diagnostic reading report generation supporting system  1  of the first embodiment, the medical image server apparatus  12 , the diagnostic reading report generation supporting apparatus  16 , and the databases  17 - 1 ,  17 - 2 ,  17 - 3 , and  17 - 4  are independent apparatuses. Alternatively, the diagnostic reading report generation supporting apparatus  16  may have the functions of the medical image server apparatus  12  and the databases  17 - 1 ,  17 - 2 ,  17 - 3 , and  17 - 4 . 
     Next, an operation of the diagnostic reading report generation supporting system  1  according to the first embodiment is described with reference to a flow chart illustrated in  FIG. 9 . 
     First, the controller  41  of the diagnostic reading report generation supporting apparatus  16  illustrated in  FIG. 2  determines whether or not the report generator logs in to the diagnostic reading report generation supporting apparatus  16  (Step ST 1 ), and stands by for login by the report generator (NO in Step ST 1 ). The report generator performs an input operation on the input device  43  of the diagnostic reading report generation supporting apparatus  16  to input login information such as a user ID and a login password, and thus logs in to the diagnostic reading report generation supporting apparatus  16 . 
     If the controller  41  determines that the report generator logs in (YES in Step ST 1 ), the controller  41  acquires user identification information such as the user ID of the report generator, from the inputted login information (Step ST 2 ). Then, the controller  41  causes the display device  44  to display a list of acceptance numbers indicating medical images as the diagnostic reading targets (Step ST 3 ). The controller  41  further determines whether or not an acceptance number is selected from the list of acceptance numbers (Step ST 4 ), and stands by for selection of an acceptance number (NO in Step ST 4 ). The report generator performs an input operation on the input device  43  to select an acceptance number from the list of acceptance numbers. 
     If the controller  41  determines that an acceptance number is selected from the list of acceptance numbers (YES in Step ST 4 ), the controller  41  acquires patient information and examination information corresponding to the selected acceptance number from the diagnostic reading report server apparatus  13 , and acquires image data corresponding to the selected acceptance number from the medical image server apparatus  12  (Step ST 5 ). The report generator performs an input operation on the input device  43  to generate a diagnostic reading report while viewing the medical image as the diagnostic reading target. 
     Next, the controller  41  extracts fixed phrase identification information corresponding to the user identification information acquired in Step ST 2  and the examination information acquired in Step ST 5 , from the first table T 1  (illustrated in  FIG. 3 ) of the database  17 - 1  (Step ST 6 ), and extracts fixed phrase name information also corresponding thereto, from the first table T 1  (illustrated in  FIG. 3 ) of the database  17 - 1  (Step ST 7 ). For example, in  FIG. 3 , extracted are the fixed phrase identification information item “101” and the fixed phrase name information item “11 for CT” each corresponding to: the user identification information item “AB001”; and the examination type information item “CT” and the imaging region information item “head region” as the examination information. Similarly, extracted are the fixed phrase identification information item “102” and the fixed phrase name information item “12 for CT” each corresponding to: the user identification information item “AB001”; and the examination type information item “CT” and the imaging region information item “ALL” as the examination information. Similarly, extracted are the fixed phrase identification information item “106” and the fixed phrase name information item “common 11” each corresponding to: a user identification information item “ALL”; and an examination type information item “ALL” and the imaging region information item “ALL” as the examination information. 
     The controller  41  extracts fixed phrase name display position information and fixed phrase character information each corresponding to the fixed phrase identification information extracted in Step ST 6 , from the second table T 2  (illustrated in  FIG. 4 ) of the database  17 - 2  (Step ST 8 ). For example, in  FIG. 4 , extracted are the fixed phrase name display position information item “1, 2, 3, 4, or 5” and the fixed phrase character information item “Compared with the last examination . . . ” each corresponding to the fixed phrase identification information item “101”. Similarly, extracted are the fixed phrase name display position information item “1, 2, 3, 4, or 5” and the fixed phrase character information item “re-examination required” each corresponding to the fixed phrase identification information item “102”. Similarly, extracted are the fixed phrase name display position information item “5” and the fixed phrase character information item “nothing abnormal detected” each corresponding to the fixed phrase identification information item “106”. 
     Then, the controller  41  extracts display format information corresponding to the user identification information acquired in Step ST 2 , from the third table T 3  (illustrated in  FIG. 5 ) of the database  17 - 3  (Step ST 9 ). For example, in  FIG. 5 , extracted is the display format information item “101” corresponding to the user identification information item “AB001”. 
     Then, the controller  41  extracts syntactic information corresponding to the display format information extracted in Step ST 9 , from the fourth table T 4  (illustrated in  FIG. 6 ) of the database  17 - 4  (Step ST 10 ). For example, in  FIG. 6 , extracted is the syntactic information corresponding to the display format information item “101”. 
     Then, the controller  41  causes the viewer apparatus for diagnostic reading  15  to display a diagnostic reading report generation screen G 1  including the list P of the fixed phrase name information items extracted in Step ST 7 , the patient information, the examination information, and the image data acquired in Step ST 5 , and the like (Step ST 11 ). 
       FIG. 10  is a diagram illustrating an example of the diagnostic reading report generation screen. 
       FIG. 10  illustrates the diagnostic reading report generation screen G 1  concerning a patient ID “1234”, in which the user identification information item “AB001” of the report generator and the examination type information item “CT” and the imaging region information item “head region” as the examination information are set as the conditions. The diagnostic reading report generation screen G 1  includes the list P of the fixed phrase name information items, which is generated in a format suited to the syntactic information extracted in Step ST 10 . In the list P, the fixed phrase name information items that are extracted in Step ST 7  on the basis of the user identification information item “AB001” and the examination type information item “CT” and the imaging region information item “head region” as the examination information set as the conditions are arranged in accordance with the fixed phrase name display position information extracted in Step ST 8 . 
     Specifically, the diagnostic reading report generation screen G 1  includes the patient information (for example, a patient ID and a patient name) and the image data “CT”. The diagnostic reading report generation screen G 1  includes the user identification information (for example, a user ID and a user name) of the report generator and the examination information (for example, examination type information and imaging region information), as the conditions. The diagnostic reading report generation screen G 1  further includes the list P of the fixed phrase name information items (for example, 11 for CT, . . . , common 12) that are extracted in Step ST 7  on the basis of the conditions. Note that the diagnostic reading report generation screen G 1  is provided with a medical comment input section Q in which a medical comment sentence is to be inputted. In the case where only the fixed phrase name information items “11 for CT”, “12 for CT”, and “common 11” are extracted in Step ST 7  on the basis of the conditions, only the fixed phrase name information items “11 for CT”, “12 for CT”, and “common 11” are displayed. 
     Returning back to the description of  FIG. 9 , the controller  41  determines whether or not a fixed phrase name information item is selected by the viewer apparatus for diagnostic reading  15  from the list P of the fixed phrase name information items (Step ST 12 ), and stands by for selection of a fixed phrase name information item (NO in Step ST 12 ). The report generator performs an input operation on an input device of the viewer apparatus for diagnostic reading  15  to attach a fixed phrase name information item included in the list P of the fixed phrase name information items to a predetermined location, and thus selects the fixed phrase name information item from the list P of the fixed phrase name information items. It is possible to use a graphical user interface (GUI) that uses many graphics to display information for the report generator on the display device and enables most basic operations to be performed using a pointing device such as a mouse as the input device  43 . 
       FIG. 11A  and  FIG. 11B  each illustrate part of the diagnostic reading report generation screen G 1  illustrated in  FIG. 10 , and are views for describing a method of selecting a fixed phrase name information item from the list P of the fixed phrase name information items. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 11A , the report generator drags (moves) a desired fixed phrase name information item, for example, an icon of “12 for CT” from the list P of the fixed phrase name information items displayed on a display device of the viewer apparatus for diagnostic reading  15 , with the use of the input device  43 . Then, as illustrated in  FIG. 11B , the report generator drops the dragged icon of “12 for CT” onto the medical comment input section Q. If “12 for CT” is dropped onto the medical comment input section Q, the fixed phrase character information item “re-examination required” that is extracted in Step ST 8  and corresponds to “12 for CT” is displayed in the medical comment input section Q on the basis of the second table T 2 . Note that, if a mouse pointer is put over a fixed phrase name information item in the state illustrated in  FIG. 11A , the fixed phrase character information corresponding to the fixed phrase name information item may be displayed as a pop-up window. 
     Returning back to the description of  FIG. 9 , if the controller  41  determines that a fixed phrase name information item is selected from the list P of the fixed phrase name information items (YES in Step ST 12 ), the controller  41  determines whether or not a “save” button is pressed by the viewer apparatus for diagnostic reading  15  (Step ST 13 ), and stands by for press of the “save” button (NO in Step ST 13 ). The “save” button is provided on, for example, the diagnostic reading report generation screen G 1 . In the case of saving a diagnostic reading report after input, the report generator performs an input operation on the input device of the viewer apparatus for diagnostic reading  15  to click and press the “save” button. Note that, in the case where another button than the “save” button is pressed, processing corresponding to the another button is executed. If the controller  41  determines that the “save” button is pressed (YES in Step ST 13 ), the controller  41  transmits the diagnostic reading report after input to the diagnostic reading report server apparatus  13  via the network Na (Step ST 14 ), and ends the processing. Through such processing as described above, the diagnostic reading report generation supporting operation is performed. 
     If the report generator such as the diagnostic reader logs in to the diagnostic reading report generation supporting apparatus  16 , the list P of the fixed phrase name information items corresponding to the report generator is displayed on the display device  44 . The report generator performs an input operation on the input device  43  to select a fixed phrase name information item of his/her medical comment from the displayed list P of the fixed phrase name information items. In this way, a medical comment sentence is automatically inputted to a diagnostic reading report. Lastly, the report generator checks the medical comment sentence, and presses the “save” button. As a result, the diagnostic reading report after input is transmitted to the diagnostic reading report server apparatus  13 . 
     The diagnostic reading report server apparatus  13  overwrites the diagnostic reading report before input with the diagnostic reading report transmitted from the diagnostic reading report generation supporting apparatus  16 , and saves the resultant report. In response to a request from the viewer apparatus for observation  14 , the saved diagnostic reading report after input is transmitted from the diagnostic reading report server apparatus  13  to the viewer apparatus for observation  14  via the network Na. As a result, the viewer apparatus for observation  14  displays the diagnostic reading report in addition to the medical image. The doctor in charge makes a diagnosis while viewing the medical image and the diagnostic reading report displayed on the viewer apparatus for observation  14 . 
     According to the diagnostic reading report generation supporting system  1  of the first embodiment, if the report generator designates examination information, the list P of appropriate fixed phrase name information items corresponding to the report generator and the examination is displayed. Then, if the report generator selects a particular fixed phrase name information item from the list P of the fixed phrase name information items, the report generator can input fixed phrase character information corresponding to the particular fixed phrase name information item, into the medical comment input section Q. That is, according to the diagnostic reading report generation supporting system  1  of the first embodiment, only appropriate ones of a large number of fixed phrase name information items can be displayed as the list P. Hence, selection work of a fixed phrase name information item (fixed phrase character information item) is facilitated, and the generation efficiency of a diagnostic reading report by the report generator can be improved. 
     Further, according to the diagnostic reading report generation supporting system  1  of the first embodiment, not a list of fixed phrase character information items but the list P of the fixed phrase name information items is displayed. This eliminates the need for operations such as screen switching even if a large number of fixed phrase name information items are displayed, and hence the generation efficiency of a diagnostic reading report by the report generator can be improved. 
     Second Embodiment 
       FIG. 12  is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a diagnostic reading report generation supporting system according to a second embodiment. 
       FIG. 12  illustrates a diagnostic reading report generation supporting system  1 A of the second embodiment. The diagnostic reading report generation supporting system  1 A is configured by a plurality of medical institutions, for example, a first hospital  10  and a second hospital  20 . The first hospital  10  includes the medical imaging apparatus  11 , the medical image server apparatus  12 , the diagnostic reading report server apparatus  13 , the viewer apparatus for observation  14 , the viewer apparatus for diagnostic reading  15 , the diagnostic reading report generation supporting apparatus  16 , the database group  17  ( 17 - 1  to  17 - 4 ), and a router (virtual private network (VPN))  18 . These apparatuses are mutually communicable via the network Na such as a backbone LAN. Note that the number(s) of the entirety or a part of the apparatuses  11  to  16  installed in the first hospital  10  may be more than one. 
     The router  18  relays data on the network Na to a network Nd such as the Internet, and relays data on the network Nd to the network Na. 
     Note that, in the diagnostic reading report generation supporting system  1 A illustrated in  FIG. 12 , the same elements as those in the diagnostic reading report generation supporting system  1  illustrated in  FIG. 1  are denoted by the same reference signs, and description thereof is omitted. 
     Similarly to the first hospital  10 , the second hospital  20  includes a medical imaging apparatus  21 , a medical image server apparatus  22 , a diagnostic reading report server apparatus  23 , a viewer apparatus for observation  24 , a viewer apparatus for diagnostic reading  25 , a diagnostic reading report generation supporting apparatus  26 , a database group  27  ( 27 - 1  to  27 - 4 ), and a router  28 . These apparatuses are mutually communicable via a network Nb such as a backbone LAN. Note that the number(s) of the entirety or a part of the apparatuses  21  to  26  installed in the second hospital  20  may be more than one. 
     The medical imaging apparatus  21  has the same configuration and function as those of the medical imaging apparatus  11 , the medical image server apparatus  22  has the same configuration and function as those of the medical image server apparatus  12 , the diagnostic reading report server apparatus  23  has the same configuration and function as those of the diagnostic reading report server apparatus  13 , the viewer apparatus for observation  24  has the same configuration and function as those of the viewer apparatus for observation  14 , and the viewer apparatus for diagnostic reading  25  has the same configuration and function as those of the viewer apparatus for diagnostic reading  15 . 
     The diagnostic reading report generation supporting apparatus  26  has the same configuration as that of the diagnostic reading report generation supporting apparatus  16  illustrated in  FIG. 2 . The function (operation) of the diagnostic reading report generation supporting apparatus  26  is described later. 
     The database  27 - 1  stores a first table U 1 . In the first table U 1 , fixed phrase identification information is associated with the combination of user identification information, examination information, and fixed phrase name information. 
       FIG. 13  is a diagram illustrating an example of the first table U 1  managed by the database  27 - 1 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 13 , in the first table U 1 , a fixed phrase identification information item “201” is associated with the combination of: a user identification information item “CD01”; the examination type information item “CT” and the imaging region information item “head region” as the examination information; and a fixed phrase name information item “21 for CT”. Similarly, in the first table U 1 , a fixed phrase identification information item “202” is associated with the combination of: the user identification information item “CD01”; the examination type information item “CT” and the imaging region information item “ALL” as the examination information; and a fixed phrase name information item “22 for CT”. Note that, for the six rows from the top in the first table U 1  illustrated in  FIG. 13 , the user identification information, the examination information, the fixed phrase name information, and the fixed phrase identification information are all newly registered in the second hospital  20 . 
     In the first table U 1 , a fixed phrase identification information item “207” is associated with the combination of: the user identification information item “AB001”; the examination type information item “CT” and the imaging region information item “head region” as the examination information; and the fixed phrase name information item “11 for CT”. Note that, for the two rows from the bottom in the first table U 1  illustrated in  FIG. 13 , the user identification information, the examination information, and the fixed phrase name information are provided from the first hospital  10 , and the fixed phrase identification information is newly registered in the second hospital  20 . 
     Here, the user identification information unique to the first hospital  10  is used in the first hospital  10 , and the user identification information unique to the second hospital  20  is used in the second hospital  20 . Accordingly, even different user identification information items may correspond to the same user. For example, in the second hospital  20 , the user identification information item “AB001” in the first hospital  10  is determined as being the same as the user identification information item “CD01”. According to a method for such determination, in the case where a user name corresponding to the user identification information item “AB001” and a user name corresponding to the user identification information item “CD01” are coincident with each other, the user identification information item “AB001” and the user identification information item “CD01” are determined as being the same as each other. According to another method for such determination, a correspondence table between the user ID of the user identification information in the first hospital  10  and the user ID of the user identification information in the second hospital  20  is provided, and in the case where the user identification information item “AB001” corresponds to the user identification information item “CD01”, the user identification information item “AB001” and the user identification information item “CD01” are determined as being the same as each other. 
     Note that user identification information unified between the first hospital  10  and the second hospital  20  may be used. Particularly in the case where the first hospital  10  and the second hospital  20  are affiliated hospitals, user identification information unified between the first hospital  10  and the second hospital  20  is used. For example, in the case where the user identification information item “CD01” is coincident with the user identification information item “AB001”, the user identification information item “AB001” illustrated in  FIG. 13  is replaced with the user identification information item “CD01”. 
     It is discussed here that, in the first table U 1 , the user identification information item “CD01” (and “AB001” equated therewith) and the examination type information item “CT” and the imaging region information item “head region” as the examination information are set as the conditions. In that case, the fixed phrase identification information items “201”, “202”, “206”, and “207” and the fixed phrase name information items “21 for CT”, “22 for CT”, “common 21”, and “11 for CT” are extracted on the basis of the first table U 1  illustrated in  FIG. 13 . 
     Returning back to the description of  FIG. 12 , the database  27 - 2  stores a second table U 2 . In the second table U 2 , fixed phrase identification information is associated with the combination of: fixed phrase name display position information indicating a display position of fixed phrase name information; and fixed phrase character information that is character information of a fixed phrase. 
       FIG. 14  is a diagram illustrating an example of the second table U 2  managed by the database  27 - 2 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 14 , in the second table U 2 , the fixed phrase identification information item “201” is associated with the combination of: the fixed phrase name display position information item “1, 2, 3, 4, or 5”; and a fixed phrase character information item “over the entire region . . . ”. That is, the fixed phrase identification information item “201” may be displayed at the position of the fixed phrase name display position information item “1”, and may be displayed at the position of the fixed phrase name display position information item “5”. It is discussed here that the user identification information item “CD01” (and “AB001” equated therewith) and the examination type information item “CT” and the imaging region information item “head region” as the examination information are set as the conditions. In that case, the fixed phrase identification information items “201”, “202”, “206”, and “207” and the fixed phrase name information items “21 for CT”, “22 for CT”, “common 21”, and “11 for CT” are extracted on the basis of the first table U 1  illustrated in  FIG. 13 . Further, the fixed phrase name display position information items “1, 2, 3, 4, or 5”, “1, 2, 3, 4, or 5”, “5”, and “1, 2, 3, 4, or 5” and the fixed phrase character information items “over the entire region . . . ”, “re-examination required”, “nothing abnormal detected”, and “Compared with the last examination . . . ” corresponding to the extracted fixed phrase identification information items “201”, “202”, “206”, and “207” are extracted on the basis of the second table U 2  illustrated in  FIG. 14 . 
     The fixed phrase name display position information and the fixed phrase character information are provided from the first hospital  10 , and the fixed phrase identification information are newly registered in the second hospital  20 . That is, the fixed phrase name display position information item “1, 2, 3, 4, or 5” and the fixed phrase character information item “Compared with the last examination . . . ” each correspond to the fixed phrase identification information item “101” in the first hospital  10  (see  FIG. 4 ), whereas these information items each correspond to the fixed phrase identification information item “207” in the second hospital  20 . 
     Returning back to the description of  FIG. 12 , the database  27 - 3  stores a third table U 3 . In the third table U 3 , user identification information is associated with display format information for displaying a fixed phrase. 
       FIG. 15  is a diagram illustrating an example of the third table U 3  managed by the database  27 - 3 . 
     It is discussed here that the user identification information item “CD01” and the examination type information item “CT” and the imaging region information item “head region” as the examination information are set as the conditions. In that case, a display format information item “201” corresponding to the user identification information item “CD01” is extracted on the basis of the third table U 3  illustrated in  FIG. 15 . 
     Returning back to the description of  FIG. 12 , the database  27 - 4  stores a fourth table U 4 . In the fourth table U 4 , display format information is associated with syntactic information. 
       FIG. 16  is a diagram illustrating an example of the fourth table U 4  managed by the database  27 - 4 . 
     It is discussed here that the user identification information item “CD01” and the examination type information item “CT” and the imaging region information item “head region” as the examination information are set as the conditions. In that case, the display format information item “201” is extracted on the basis of the third table U 3  illustrated in  FIG. 15 . Further, syntactic information corresponding to the extracted display format information item “201” is extracted on the basis of the fourth table U 4  illustrated in  FIG. 16 . 
     Note that, in the diagnostic reading report generation supporting system  1 A of the second embodiment, the medical image server apparatus  12 , the diagnostic reading report generation supporting apparatus  16 , and the databases  17 - 1 ,  17 - 2 ,  17 - 3 , and  17 - 4  are independent apparatuses. Alternatively, the diagnostic reading report generation supporting apparatus  16  may have the functions of the medical image server apparatus  12  and the databases  17 - 1 ,  17 - 2 ,  17 - 3 , and  17 - 4 . Similarly, the diagnostic reading report generation supporting apparatus  26  may have the functions of the medical image server apparatus  22  and the databases  27 - 1 ,  27 - 2 ,  27 - 3 , and  27 - 4 . 
     Next, an operation of the diagnostic reading report generation supporting system  1 A according to the second embodiment is described with reference to a flow chart illustrated in  FIG. 17  to  FIG. 19 . 
     First, the controller  41  of the diagnostic reading report generation supporting apparatus  16  illustrated in  FIG. 2  determines whether or not a transmission executor logs in to the diagnostic reading report generation supporting apparatus  16  (Step ST 21 ), and stands by for login by the transmission executor (NO in Step ST 21 ). The transmission executor performs an input operation on the input device  43  of the diagnostic reading report generation supporting apparatus  16  to input login information such as a user ID and a login password, and thus logs in to the diagnostic reading report generation supporting apparatus  16 . 
     If the controller  41  determines that the transmission executor logs in (YES in Step ST 21 ), the controller  41  of the diagnostic reading report generation supporting apparatus  16  acquires user identification information such as the user ID of the transmission executor, from the inputted login information (Step ST 22 ). Then, the controller  41  of the diagnostic reading report generation supporting apparatus  16  extracts fixed phrase identification information corresponding to the user identification information acquired in Step ST 22 , from the first table T 1  (illustrated in  FIG. 3 ) of the database  17 - 1  (Step ST 23 ), and extracts examination information and fixed phrase name information also corresponding thereto, from the first table T 1  (illustrated in  FIG. 3 ) of the database  17 - 1  (Step ST 24 ). For example, in  FIG. 3 , extracted are the fixed phrase identification information item “101”, the examination type information item “CT” and the imaging region information item “head region” as the examination information, and the fixed phrase name information item “11 for CT” each corresponding to the user identification information item “AB001”. Similarly, extracted are the fixed phrase identification information item “102”, the examination type information item “CT” and the imaging region information item “ALL” as the examination information, and the fixed phrase name information item “12 for CT” each corresponding to the user identification information item “AB001”. Similarly, extracted are the fixed phrase identification information item “104”, the examination type information item “CT” and an imaging region information item “chest region” as the examination information, and a fixed phrase name information item “14 for CT” each corresponding to the user identification information item “AB001”. In addition, extracted are the fixed phrase identification information item “106”, the examination type information item “ALL” and the imaging region information item “ALL” as the examination information, and the fixed phrase name information item “common 11” each corresponding to the user identification information item “ALL” including the user identification information item “AB001”. 
     The controller  41  of the diagnostic reading report generation supporting apparatus  16  extracts fixed phrase name display position information and fixed phrase character information each corresponding to the fixed phrase identification information extracted in Step ST 23 , from the second table T 2  (illustrated in  FIG. 4 ) of the database  17 - 2  (Step ST 25 ). For example, in  FIG. 4 , extracted are the fixed phrase name display position information item “1, 2, 3, 4, or 5” and the fixed phrase character information item “Compared with the last examination . . . ” each corresponding to the fixed phrase identification information item “101”. Similarly, extracted are the fixed phrase name display position information item “1, 2, 3, 4, or 5” and the fixed phrase character information item “re-examination required” each corresponding to the fixed phrase identification information item “102”. Similarly, extracted are the fixed phrase name display position information item “1, 2, 3, 4, or 5” and a fixed phrase character information item “At the subpleura of both the lung fields . . . ” each corresponding to the fixed phrase identification information item “104”. Extracted are the fixed phrase name display position information item “5” and the fixed phrase character information item “nothing abnormal detected” each corresponding to the fixed phrase identification information item “106”. 
     Then, the controller  41  of the diagnostic reading report generation supporting apparatus  16  extracts display format information corresponding to the user identification information acquired in Step ST 22 , from the third table T 3  (illustrated in  FIG. 5 ) of the database  17 - 3  (Step ST 26 ). For example, in  FIG. 5 , extracted is the display format information item “101” corresponding to the user identification information item “AB001”. 
     Then, the controller  41  of the diagnostic reading report generation supporting apparatus  16  extracts syntactic information corresponding to the display format information extracted in Step ST 26 , from the fourth table T 4  (illustrated in  FIG. 6 ) of the database  17 - 4  (Step ST 27 ). For example, in  FIG. 6 , extracted is the syntactic information corresponding to the display format information item “101”. 
     Then, the controller  41  of the diagnostic reading report generation supporting apparatus  16  causes the display device  44  of the diagnostic reading report generation supporting apparatus  16  in the first hospital  10  to display, as an information display screen, the examination information and the fixed phrase name information extracted in Step ST 24 , the fixed phrase name display position information and the fixed phrase character information extracted in Step ST 25 , and the syntactic information extracted in Step ST 27  (Step ST 28 ). 
       FIG. 20  is a diagram illustrating an example of a transmission screen. 
       FIG. 20  illustrates a transmission screen G 2 , in which the user identification information item “AB001” of the transmission executor is set as the condition. Specifically, the transmission screen G 2  includes an information transmission source and an information transmission destination. The transmission screen G 2  includes the user identification information (for example, a user ID and a user name) of the transmission executor, as the condition. The transmission screen G 2  also includes: the examination information (for example, examination type information and imaging region information) and the fixed phrase name information extracted in Step ST 24 ; the fixed phrase name display position information and the fixed phrase character information extracted in Step ST 25 ; and the syntactic information extracted in Step ST 27  on the basis of the condition. The transmission executor selects an information transmission destination, and checks information to be transmitted, with the use of the input device  43  of the diagnostic reading report generation supporting apparatus  16 . 
     Note that, in the present embodiment, description is given of the case where the transmission screen is generated with the user identification information of the transmission executor being set as the condition, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the transmission screen may be generated with the user identification information of the transmission executor and the examination information being set as the conditions. 
     Returning back to the description of  FIG. 17 , the controller  41  of the diagnostic reading report generation supporting apparatus  16  determines whether or not a “transmit” button is pressed (Step ST 29 ), and stands by for press of the “transmit” button (NO in Step ST 29 ). The “transmit” button is provided on, for example, the transmission screen G 2 . In the case of transmitting, to the second hospital  20  that is another hospital, the user identification information of the transmission executor, the examination information, the fixed phrase name information, the fixed phrase name display position information, the fixed phrase character information, and the syntactic information in association with one another, the transmission executor performs an input operation on the input device  43  of the diagnostic reading report generation supporting apparatus  16  to click and press the “transmit” button. If the controller  41  determines that the “transmit” button is pressed (YES in Step ST 29 ), information in which the user identification information of the transmission executor, the examination information, the fixed phrase name information, the fixed phrase name display position information, the fixed phrase character information, and the syntactic information are associated with one another is exported and transmitted to the second hospital  20  via the router  18  and the network Nd (Step ST 30 ). 
     Subsequently, the second hospital  20  that is another hospital receives the user identification information, the examination information, the fixed phrase name information, the fixed phrase name display position information, the fixed phrase character information, and the syntactic information that are transmitted by the first hospital  10  in Step ST 30 , via the network Nd and the router  28  (Step ST 31 ). The second hospital  20  imports the information received in Step ST 31  into the first table U 1  (illustrated in  FIG. 13 ), and newly registers thereto the user identification information, the examination information, and the fixed phrase name information together with fixed phrase identification information assigned thereto (Step ST 32 ). For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 13 , the user identification information item “AB001”, the examination type information item “CT” and the imaging region information item “head region” as the examination information, and the fixed phrase name information item “11 for CT” that are received in Step ST 31  are newly registered to the first table U 1  together with the fixed phrase identification information item “207” assigned thereto. 
     Then, the second hospital  20  newly registers the fixed phrase name display position information and the fixed phrase character information that are received in Step ST 31  and imported, to fixed phrase identification information in the second table U 2  (illustrated in  FIG. 14 ) (Step ST 33 ). For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 14 , the fixed phrase name display position information item “1, 2, 3, 4, or 5” and the fixed phrase character information item “Compared with the last examination . . . ” that are received in Step ST 31  are newly registered to the fixed phrase identification information item “207” in the second table U 2 . 
     Further, the second hospital  20  newly registers the syntactic information received in Step ST 31  to the fourth table U 4  (illustrated in  FIG. 16 ) on the basis of user identification information of the third table U 3  (illustrated in  FIG. 15 ) (Step ST 34 ). 
     Through Steps ST 32  to ST 34 , as illustrated in  FIG. 13  to  FIG. 16 , the databases  27 - 1  to  27 - 4  in the second hospital  20  can have the tables U 1  to U 4  that share the information registered in the first hospital  10  and the information registered in the second hospital  20 . 
     The controller  41  of the diagnostic reading report generation supporting apparatus  26  in the second hospital  20  determines whether or not the report generator (transmission executor) logs in to the diagnostic reading report generation supporting apparatus  26  (Step ST 41 ), and stands by for login by the report generator (NO in Step ST 41 ). The report generator performs an input operation on the input device  43  of the diagnostic reading report generation supporting apparatus  26  to input login information such as a user ID and a login password, and thus logs in to the diagnostic reading report generation supporting apparatus  26 . 
     If the controller  41  determines that the report generator logs in (YES in Step ST 41 ), the controller  41  of the diagnostic reading report generation supporting apparatus  26  acquires user identification information such as the user ID of the report generator, from the inputted login information (Step ST 42 ). Then, the controller  41  of the diagnostic reading report generation supporting apparatus  26  causes the display device  44  of the diagnostic reading report generation supporting apparatus  26  to display a list of acceptance numbers indicating medical images as the diagnostic reading targets (Step ST 43 ). The controller  41  of the diagnostic reading report generation supporting apparatus  26  further determines whether or not an acceptance number is selected from the list of acceptance numbers (Step ST 44 ), and stands by for selection of an acceptance number (NO in Step ST 44 ). The report generator performs an input operation on the input device  43  of the diagnostic reading report generation supporting apparatus  26  to select an acceptance number from the list of acceptance numbers. 
     If the controller  41  determines that an acceptance number is selected from the list of acceptance numbers (YES in Step ST 44 ), the controller  41  of the diagnostic reading report generation supporting apparatus  26  acquires patient information and examination information corresponding to the selected acceptance number from the diagnostic reading report server apparatus  23 , and acquires image data corresponding to the selected acceptance number from the medical image server apparatus  22  (Step ST 45 ). The report generator in the second hospital  20  performs an input operation on the input device  43  of the diagnostic reading report generation supporting apparatus  26  to generate a diagnostic reading report while viewing the medical image as the diagnostic reading target. 
     Next, the controller  41  of the diagnostic reading report generation supporting apparatus  26  extracts fixed phrase identification information corresponding to the user identification information acquired in Step ST 42  and the examination information acquired in Step ST 45 , from the first table U 1  (illustrated in  FIG. 13 ) of the database  27 - 1  (Step ST 46 ), and extracts fixed phrase name information also corresponding thereto, from the first table U 1  (illustrated in  FIG. 13 ) of the database  27 - 1  (Step ST 47 ). For example, in  FIG. 13 , extracted are the fixed phrase identification information item “201” and the fixed phrase name information item “21 for CT” each corresponding to: the user identification information item “CD01”; and the examination type information item “CT” and the imaging region information item “head region” as the examination information. Similarly, extracted are the fixed phrase identification information item “202” and the fixed phrase name information item “22 for CT” each corresponding to: the user identification information item “CD01”; and the examination type information item “CT” and the imaging region information item “ALL” as the examination information. Similarly, extracted are the fixed phrase identification information item “206” and the fixed phrase name information item “common 21” each corresponding to: the user identification information item “ALL”; and the examination type information item “ALL” and the imaging region information item “ALL” as the examination information. In addition, extracted are the fixed phrase identification information item “207” and the fixed phrase name information item “11 for CT” each corresponding to: the user identification information item “AB001” equated with “CD01”; and the examination type information item “CT” and the imaging region information item “head region” as the examination information. 
     The controller  41  of the diagnostic reading report generation supporting apparatus  26  extracts fixed phrase name display position information and fixed phrase character information each corresponding to the fixed phrase identification information extracted in Step ST 46 , from the second table U 2  (illustrated in  FIG. 14 ) of the database  27 - 2  (Step ST 48 ). For example, in  FIG. 14 , extracted are the fixed phrase name display position information item “1, 2, 3, 4, or 5” and the fixed phrase character information item “over the entire region . . . ” each corresponding to the fixed phrase identification information item “201”. Similarly, extracted are the fixed phrase name display position information item “1, 2, 3, 4, or 5” and the fixed phrase character information item “re-examination required” each corresponding to the fixed phrase identification information item “202”. Similarly, extracted are the fixed phrase name display position information item “5” and the fixed phrase character information item “nothing abnormal detected” each corresponding to the fixed phrase identification information item “206”. In addition, extracted are the fixed phrase name display position information item “1, 2, 3, 4, or 5” and the fixed phrase character information item “Compared with the last examination . . . ” each corresponding to the fixed phrase identification information item “207”. 
     Then, the controller  41  of the diagnostic reading report generation supporting apparatus  26  extracts display format information corresponding to the user identification information acquired in Step ST 42 , from the third table U 3  (illustrated in  FIG. 15 ) of the database  27 - 3  (Step ST 49 ). For example, in  FIG. 15 , extracted is the display format information item “201” corresponding to the user identification information item “CD01”. 
     Then, the controller  41  of the diagnostic reading report generation supporting apparatus  26  extracts syntactic information corresponding to the display format information extracted in Step ST 49 , from the fourth table U 4  (illustrated in  FIG. 16 ) of the database  27 - 4  (Step ST 50 ). For example, in  FIG. 16 , extracted is the syntactic information corresponding to the display format information item “201”. 
     Then, the controller  41  of the diagnostic reading report generation supporting apparatus  26  causes the viewer apparatus for diagnostic reading  25  to display a diagnostic reading report generation screen including the list P of the fixed phrase name information items extracted in Step ST 47 , the patient information, the examination information, and the image data acquired in Step ST 45 , and the like (Step ST 51 ). The diagnostic reading report generation screen displayed in Step ST 51  is equivalent to that illustrated in  FIG. 10 . 
     The controller  41  of the diagnostic reading report generation supporting apparatus  26  determines whether or not a fixed phrase name information item is selected by the viewer apparatus for diagnostic reading  25  from the list P of the fixed phrase name information items (Step ST 52 ), and stands by for selection of a fixed phrase name information item (NO in Step ST 52 ). The report generator performs an input operation on an input device of the viewer apparatus for diagnostic reading  25  to attach a fixed phrase name information item included in the list P of the fixed phrase name information items to a predetermined location, and thus selects the fixed phrase name information item from the list P of the fixed phrase name information items. The method of selecting a fixed phrase name information item from the list P of the fixed phrase name information items is equivalent to that described with reference to  FIG. 11A  and  FIG. 11B . 
     If the controller  41  determines that a fixed phrase name information item is selected from the list P of the fixed phrase name information items (YES in Step ST 52 ), the controller  41  of the diagnostic reading report generation supporting apparatus  26  determines whether or not the “save” button is pressed by the viewer apparatus for diagnostic reading  25  (Step ST 53 ), and stands by for press of the “save” button (NO in Step ST 53 ). In the case of saving a diagnostic reading report after input, the report generator performs an input operation on the input device of the viewer apparatus for diagnostic reading  25  to click and press the “save” button. Note that, in the case where another button than the “save” button is pressed, processing corresponding to the another button is executed. If the controller  41  determines that the “save” button is pressed (YES in Step ST 53 ), the controller  41  transmits the diagnostic reading report after input to the diagnostic reading report server apparatus  23  via the network Nb (Step ST 54 ), and ends the processing. Through such processing as described above, the diagnostic reading report generation supporting operation is performed. 
     According to the diagnostic reading report generation supporting system  1 A of the second embodiment, if the report generator designates examination information, the list P of appropriate fixed phrase name information items corresponding to the report generator and the examination is displayed, the fixed phrase name information items being generated not only in the second hospital  20  in which the report is generated but also in the first hospital  10 . Then, if the report generator selects a particular fixed phrase name information item from the list P of the fixed phrase name information items, the report generator can input fixed phrase character information corresponding to the particular fixed phrase name information item, into the medical comment input section Q. That is, according to the diagnostic reading report generation supporting system  1 A of the second embodiment, only appropriate ones of a large number of fixed phrase name information items that are generated not only in the second hospital  20  but also in the first hospital  10  can be displayed as the list P. Hence, selection work of a fixed phrase name information item (fixed phrase character information item) is facilitated, and the generation efficiency of a diagnostic reading report by the report generator can be improved. 
     Further, according to the diagnostic reading report generation supporting system  1 A of the second embodiment, not a list of fixed phrase character information items but the list P of the fixed phrase name information items is displayed. This eliminates the need for operations such as screen switching even if a large number of fixed phrase name information items are displayed, and hence the generation efficiency of a diagnostic reading report by the report generator can be improved. 
     Furthermore, according to the diagnostic reading report generation supporting system  1 A of the second embodiment, even in the case where a given report generator makes a diagnostic reading in different hospitals (the first hospital  10  and the second hospital  20 ), the given report generator can use fixed phrase character information and the like used in the first hospital  10 , also in the second hospital  20 , and hence the generation efficiency of a diagnostic reading report by the report generator can be improved. 
     Third Embodiment 
       FIG. 21  is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a diagnostic reading report generation supporting system according to a third embodiment. 
       FIG. 21  illustrates a diagnostic reading report generation supporting system  1 B of the third embodiment. The diagnostic reading report generation supporting system  1 B is configured by a plurality of medical institutions, for example, the first hospital  10 , the second hospital  20 , and a diagnostic reading center  30 . The first hospital  10  includes the medical imaging apparatus  11 , the medical image server apparatus  12 , the diagnostic reading report server apparatus  13 , the viewer apparatus for observation  14 , the viewer apparatus for diagnostic reading  15 , the database group  17  ( 17 - 1  to  17 - 4 ), the router  18 , and a diagnostic reading requesting apparatus  19 . These apparatuses are mutually communicable via the network Na such as a backbone LAN. Note that the number(s) of the entirety or a part of the apparatuses  11  to  15  and  17  to  19  installed in the first hospital  10  may be more than one. 
     The diagnostic reading requesting apparatus  19  has the same configuration as that of the diagnostic reading report generation supporting apparatus  16  illustrated in  FIG. 2 . The function (operation) of the diagnostic reading requesting apparatus  19  is described later. 
     The second hospital  20  includes the medical imaging apparatus  21 , the medical image server apparatus  22 , the diagnostic reading report server apparatus  23 , the viewer apparatus for observation  24 , the viewer apparatus for diagnostic reading  25 , the database group  27  ( 27 - 1  to  27 - 4 ), the router  28 , and a diagnostic reading requesting apparatus  29 . These apparatuses are mutually communicable via the network Nb such as a backbone LAN. Note that the number(s) of the entirety or a part of the apparatuses  21  to  25  and  27  to  29  installed in the second hospital  20  may be more than one. 
     The diagnostic reading requesting apparatus  29  has the same configuration as that of the diagnostic reading report generation supporting apparatus  16  illustrated in  FIG. 2 . The function (operation) of the diagnostic reading requesting apparatus  29  is described later. 
     Note that, in the diagnostic reading report generation supporting system  1 B illustrated in  FIG. 21 , the same elements as those in the diagnostic reading report generation supporting system  1  illustrated in  FIG. 1  or the diagnostic reading report generation supporting system  1 A illustrated in  FIG. 12  are denoted by the same reference signs, and description thereof is omitted. 
     The diagnostic reading center  30  includes a medical image server apparatus  32 , a diagnostic reading report server apparatus  33 , a viewer apparatus for diagnostic reading  35 , a diagnostic reading report generation supporting apparatus  36 , and a router  38 . These apparatuses are mutually communicable via a network Nc such as a backbone LAN. Note that the number(s) of the entirety or a part of the apparatuses  32 ,  33 ,  35 , and  36  installed in the diagnostic reading center  30  may be more than one. 
     The medical image server apparatus  32  stores image data contained in diagnostic reading request information transmitted from each of the first hospital  10  and the second hospital  20 . The medical image server apparatus  32  provides the image data to the viewer apparatus for diagnostic reading  35  in response to a request from the viewer apparatus for diagnostic reading  35 . In the case of storing the image data, the medical image server apparatus  32  transmits supplementary information attached to the image data to the diagnostic reading report server apparatus  33 . The supplementary information contains an acceptance number, patient information, examination information, and the like. 
     The diagnostic reading report server apparatus  33  receives the supplementary information from the medical image server apparatus  32 , and stores a diagnostic reading report before input including the received supplementary information, in association with its acceptance number. Then, the diagnostic reading report server apparatus  33  provides the diagnostic reading report before input to the diagnostic reading report generation supporting apparatus  36  in response to a request from the diagnostic reading report generation supporting apparatus  36 . The diagnostic reading report server apparatus  33  stores as appropriate a diagnostic reading report after input generated by the diagnostic reader. 
     The viewer apparatus for diagnostic reading  35  displays the medical image stored in the medical image server apparatus  32 , the diagnostic reading report before input stored in the diagnostic reading report server apparatus  33 , and the like. The viewer apparatus for diagnostic reading  35  is installed in, for example, a diagnostic reading room in the hospital, and provides the medical image to the report generator such as the diagnostic reader who generates the diagnostic reading report. The viewer apparatus for diagnostic reading  35  enables the report generator to view the medical image as the diagnostic reading target. 
     The diagnostic reading report generation supporting apparatus  36  has the same configuration as that of the diagnostic reading report generation supporting apparatus  16  illustrated in  FIG. 2 . The function (operation) of the diagnostic reading report generation supporting apparatus  36  is described later. 
     Note that, in the diagnostic reading report generation supporting system  1 B of the third embodiment, the medical image server apparatus  12 , the databases  17 - 1 ,  17 - 2 ,  17 - 3 , and  17 - 4 , and the diagnostic reading requesting apparatus  19  are independent apparatuses. Alternatively, the diagnostic reading requesting apparatus  19  may have the functions of the medical image server apparatus  12  and the databases  17 - 1 ,  17 - 2 ,  17 - 3 , and  17 - 4 . Similarly, the diagnostic reading requesting apparatus  29  may have the functions of the medical image server apparatus  22  and the databases  27 - 1 ,  27 - 2 ,  27 - 3 , and  27 - 4 . Similarly, the diagnostic reading report generation supporting apparatus  36  may have the function of the medical image server apparatus  32 . 
     Next, an operation of the diagnostic reading report generation supporting system  1 B according to the third embodiment is described with reference to a flow chart illustrated in  FIG. 22  and  FIG. 23 . 
     First, the controller  41  of the diagnostic reading requesting apparatus  19  (or the diagnostic reading requesting apparatus  29 ) illustrated in  FIG. 21  determines whether or not a diagnostic reading requester logs in to the diagnostic reading requesting apparatus  19  (Step ST 61 ), and stands by for login by the diagnostic reading requester (NO in Step ST 61 ). The diagnostic reading requester performs an input operation on the input device  43  of the diagnostic reading requesting apparatus  19  to input login information such as a user ID of the diagnostic reading requester and a login password, and thus logs in to the diagnostic reading requesting apparatus  19 . 
     If the controller  41  determines that the diagnostic reading requester logs in (YES in Step ST 61 ), the controller  41  of the diagnostic reading requesting apparatus  19  acquires user identification information such as the user ID of the diagnostic reading requester, from the inputted login information (Step ST 62 ). Then, the controller  41  of the diagnostic reading requesting apparatus  19  causes the display device  44  to display a list of acceptance numbers indicating medical images as the diagnostic reading targets (Step ST 63 ). The controller  41  of the diagnostic reading requesting apparatus  19  further determines whether or not an acceptance number is selected from the list of acceptance numbers (Step ST 64 ), and stands by for selection of an acceptance number (NO in Step ST 64 ). The diagnostic reading requester performs an input operation on the input device  43  of the diagnostic reading requesting apparatus  19  to select an acceptance number from the list of acceptance numbers. 
     If the controller  41  determines that an acceptance number is selected from the list of acceptance numbers (YES in Step ST 64 ), the controller  41  of the diagnostic reading requesting apparatus  19  acquires patient information and examination information corresponding to the selected acceptance number from the diagnostic reading report server apparatus  13 , and acquires image data corresponding to the selected acceptance number from the medical image server apparatus  12  (Step ST 65 ). 
     Next, the controller  41  of the diagnostic reading requesting apparatus  19  extracts fixed phrase identification information corresponding to the user identification information acquired in Step ST 62  and the examination information acquired in Step ST 65 , from the first table T 1  (illustrated in  FIG. 3 ) of the database  17 - 1  (Step ST 66 ), and extracts fixed phrase name information also corresponding thereto, from the first table T 1  (illustrated in  FIG. 3 ) of the database  17 - 1  (Step ST 67 ). For example, in  FIG. 3 , extracted are the fixed phrase identification information item “101” and the fixed phrase name information item “11 for CT” each corresponding to: the user identification information item “AB001”; and the examination type information item “CT” and the imaging region information item “head region” as the examination information. Similarly, extracted are the fixed phrase identification information item “102” and the fixed phrase name information item “12 for CT” each corresponding to: the user identification information item “AB001”; and the examination type information item “CT” and the imaging region information item “ALL” as the examination information. Similarly, extracted are the fixed phrase identification information item “106” and the fixed phrase name information item “common 11” each corresponding to: the user identification information item “ALL” including the user identification information item “AB001”; and the examination type information item “ALL” and the imaging region information item “ALL” as the examination information. 
     The controller  41  of the diagnostic reading requesting apparatus  19  extracts fixed phrase name display position information and fixed phrase character information each corresponding to the fixed phrase identification information extracted in Step ST 66 , from the second table T 2  (illustrated in  FIG. 4 ) of the database  17 - 2  (Step ST 68 ). For example, in  FIG. 4 , extracted are the fixed phrase name display position information items “1, 2, 3, 4, or 5”, “1, 2, 3, 4, or 5”, “1, 2, 3, 4, or 5”, and “5” and the fixed phrase character information items “Compared with the last examination . . . ”, “re-examination required”, “At the subpleura of both the lung fields . . . ”, and “nothing abnormal detected” each corresponding to the fixed phrase identification information items “101”, “102”, “104”, and “106”. 
     Then, the controller  41  of the diagnostic reading requesting apparatus  19  extracts display format information corresponding to the user identification information acquired in Step ST 62 , from the third table T 3  (illustrated in  FIG. 5 ) of the database  17 - 3  (Step ST 69 ). For example, in  FIG. 5 , extracted is the display format information item “101” corresponding to the user identification information item “AB001”. 
     Then, the controller  41  of the diagnostic reading requesting apparatus  19  extracts syntactic information corresponding to the display format information extracted in Step ST 69 , from the fourth table T 4  (illustrated in  FIG. 6 ) of the database  17 - 4  (Step ST 70 ). For example, in  FIG. 6 , extracted is the syntactic information corresponding to the display format information item “101”. 
     Then, the controller  41  of the diagnostic reading requesting apparatus  19  causes the display device  44  of the diagnostic reading requesting apparatus  19  in the first hospital  10  to display, as a diagnostic reading request screen G 3 , the examination information and the image data acquired in Step ST 65 , the fixed phrase name information extracted in Step ST 67 , the fixed phrase name display position information and the fixed phrase character information extracted in Step ST 68 , and the syntactic information extracted in Step ST 70  (Step ST 71 ). 
       FIG. 24  is a diagram illustrating an example of the diagnostic reading request screen. 
       FIG. 24  illustrates the diagnostic reading request screen G 3  concerning the patient ID “1234”, in which the user identification information item “AB001” of the diagnostic reading requester and the examination type information item “CT” and the imaging region information item “head region” as the examination information are set as the conditions. Specifically, the diagnostic reading request screen G 3  includes: information on a diagnostic reading request source and a diagnostic reading request destination; patient information (for example, a patient ID and a patient name) of a diagnostic reading request target; and image data concerning the patient information of the diagnostic reading request target, which is extracted in Step ST 65 . The diagnostic reading request screen G 3  includes the user identification information (for example, a user ID and a user name) of the diagnostic reading requester and the examination information (for example, examination type information and imaging region information), as the conditions. The diagnostic reading request screen G 3  also includes: the fixed phrase name information extracted in Step ST 67 ; the fixed phrase name display position information and the fixed phrase character information extracted in Step ST 68 ; and the syntactic information extracted in Step ST 70  on the basis of the conditions. The diagnostic reading requester selects a diagnostic reading request destination, and checks information to be transmitted, with the use of the input device  43  of the diagnostic reading requesting apparatus  19 . 
     Returning back to the description of  FIG. 22 , the controller  41  of the diagnostic reading requesting apparatus  19  determines whether or not a “request” button is pressed (Step ST 72 ), and stands by for press of the “request” button (NO in Step ST 72 ). The “request” button is provided on, for example, the diagnostic reading request screen G 3 . In the case of transmitting, to the diagnostic reading center  30 , the user identification information of the diagnostic reading requester, the examination information, the fixed phrase name information, the fixed phrase name display position information, the fixed phrase character information, the syntactic information, and the image data in association with one another, the diagnostic reading requester performs an input operation on the input device  43  of the diagnostic reading requesting apparatus  19  to click and press the “request” button. If the controller  41  determines that the “request” button is pressed (YES in Step ST 72 ), diagnostic reading request information containing information in which the user identification information of the diagnostic reading requester, the examination information, the fixed phrase name information, the fixed phrase name display position information, the fixed phrase character information, the syntactic information, and the image data are associated with one another is exported and transmitted to the diagnostic reading center  30  via the router  18  and the network Nd (Step ST 73 ). 
     Subsequently, the diagnostic reading center  30  receives the diagnostic reading request information that is transmitted by the first hospital  10  in Step ST 73 , via the network Nd and the router  38  (Step ST 74 ). 
     Then, the controller  41  of the diagnostic reading report generation supporting apparatus  36  imports the diagnostic reading request information received in Step ST 74 , and causes the viewer apparatus for diagnostic reading  35  to display a diagnostic reading report generation screen based on the diagnostic reading request information (Step ST 75 ). The diagnostic reading report generation screen displayed in Step ST 75  is equivalent to that illustrated in  FIG. 10 . 
     The controller  41  of the diagnostic reading report generation supporting apparatus  36  determines whether or not a fixed phrase name information item is selected by the viewer apparatus for diagnostic reading  35  from the list P of the fixed phrase name information items (Step ST 76 ), and stands by for selection of a fixed phrase name information item (NO in Step ST 76 ). The report generator performs an input operation on an input device of the viewer apparatus for diagnostic reading  35  to attach a fixed phrase name information item included in the list P of the fixed phrase name information items to a predetermined location, and thus selects the fixed phrase name information item from the list P of the fixed phrase name information items. The method of selecting a fixed phrase name information item from the list P of the fixed phrase name information items is equivalent to that described with reference to  FIG. 11A  and  FIG. 11B . 
     If the controller  41  determines that a fixed phrase name information item is selected from the list P of the fixed phrase name information items (YES in Step ST 76 ), the controller  41  of the diagnostic reading report generation supporting apparatus  36  determines whether or not the “save” button is pressed by the viewer apparatus for diagnostic reading  35  (Step ST 77 ), and stands by for press of the “save” button (NO in Step ST 77 ). In the case of saving a diagnostic reading report after input, the report generator performs an input operation on the input device of the viewer apparatus for diagnostic reading  35  to click and press the “save” button. Note that, in the case where another button than the “save” button is pressed, processing corresponding to the another button is executed. If the controller  41  determines that the “save” button is pressed (YES in Step ST 77 ), the controller  41  transmits the diagnostic reading report after input to the diagnostic reading report server apparatus  33  via the network Nc (Step ST 78 ), and ends the processing. Through such processing as described above, the diagnostic reading report generation supporting operation is performed. 
     Note that, description is given above of the case where diagnostic reading request information is transmitted to the diagnostic reading center  30  at the timing of diagnostic reading request (transmission of diagnostic reading request information), but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, diagnostic reading request information may be transmitted to the diagnostic reading center  30  at other timing than the timing of diagnostic reading request. 
     In Step ST 73  illustrated in  FIG. 22 , diagnostic reading request information containing information in which the user identification information of the diagnostic reading requester, the examination information, the fixed phrase name information, the fixed phrase name display position information, the fixed phrase character information, the syntactic information, and the image data are associated with one another is transmitted to the diagnostic reading center  30 , but the present invention is not limited thereto. 
     If the diagnostic reading requesting apparatus  19  receives a reservation of an examination (photographing) from a radiology information system (RIS), the diagnostic reading requesting apparatus  19  requests an X-ray film diagnosis apparatus as the medical imaging apparatus  11  to perform the examination. Upon the end of the examination by the X-ray film diagnosis apparatus, the diagnostic reading requesting apparatus  19  extracts fixed phrase identification information corresponding to the user identification information acquired in Step ST 62  illustrated in  FIG. 22  and the examination information of the requested examination, from the first table T 1  (illustrated in  FIG. 3 ) of the database  17 - 1  (Step ST 66 ). After that, the operation is performed according to the flow chart illustrated in  FIG. 22  and  FIG. 23 . 
     In this way, the diagnostic reading requesting apparatus  19  transmits, to the diagnostic reading center  30 , diagnostic reading request information containing information in which the user identification information of the diagnostic reading requester, the examination information, the fixed phrase name information, the fixed phrase name display position information, the fixed phrase character information, and the syntactic information except the image data are associated with one another. Then, an X-ray film acquired by the X-ray film diagnosis apparatus is delivered to the diagnostic reading center  30  separately from the diagnostic reading request information. 
     According to the diagnostic reading report generation supporting system  1 B of the third embodiment, the list P of appropriate fixed phrase name information items corresponding to the diagnostic reading requester and the examination is displayed, the fixed phrase name information items being generated by the diagnostic reading requester in the first hospital  10  (second hospital  20 ). Then, if the report generator selects a particular fixed phrase name information item from the list P of the fixed phrase name information items, the report generator can input fixed phrase character information corresponding to the particular fixed phrase name information item, into the medical comment input section Q. That is, according to the diagnostic reading report generation supporting system  1 B of the third embodiment, only appropriate ones of a large number of fixed phrase name information items that are generated by the diagnostic reading requester in the first hospital  10  (second hospital  20 ) can be displayed as the list P. Hence, selection work of a fixed phrase name information item (fixed phrase character information item) is facilitated, and the generation efficiency of a diagnostic reading report by the report generator can be improved. 
     Further, according to the diagnostic reading report generation supporting system  1 B of the third embodiment, not a list of fixed phrase character information items but the list P of the fixed phrase name information items is displayed. This eliminates the need for operations such as screen switching even if a large number of fixed phrase name information items are displayed, and hence the generation efficiency of a diagnostic reading report by the report generator can be improved. 
     Furthermore, according to the diagnostic reading report generation supporting system  1 B of the third embodiment, even in the case where the diagnostic reading center  30  is requested to make a diagnostic reading, fixed phrase character information and the like used in the first hospital  10  and the second hospital  20  can be used also in the diagnostic reading center  30 , and hence the generation efficiency of a diagnostic reading report by the report generator can be improved. 
     Note that the diagnostic reading report generation supporting systems  1 ,  1 A, and  1 B of the present embodiment are described for easy understanding of the present invention, and do not put a limit on the present invention. Accordingly, the elements disclosed in the diagnostic reading report generation supporting systems  1 ,  1 A, and  1 B of the present embodiment encompass all design changes and equivalents that belong to the technical range of the present invention. 
     While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel methods and systems described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the methods and systems described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the inventions.