Streamline Your Radiology Workflow with AutoHotKey
Daniel Hofstedt
Mar 03, 2023
AutoHotkey (AHK) is a versatile scripting language designed to automate repetitive tasks and simplify your workflow. Whether you're a radiologist or a radiology resident, AHK can save you time and effort with customized shortcuts and scripts tailored to your daily needs.
In this post, I’ll guide you through downloading and setting up AutoHotkey, share radiology-specific hotkey examples that actually work, and point you toward resources for diving deeper into AHK.
Getting Started with AutoHotkey
Download AutoHotkey
Head to the official AutoHotkey website and download the latest version.
Personally, I recommend running AHK from a USB drive. It makes your scripts portable, so you can plug in and use them at any workstation.
Install AutoHotkey
Run the downloaded installer and follow the instructions. Once installed, you're ready to start creating your own hotkeys.
Creating Your First Hotkey
After installing AHK, it’s time to create your first script. Use a text editor like Notepad to write your script. Here’s a simple one to open Radiopaedia when you press Ctrl + Alt + R:
^!r:: Run, https://radiopaedia.org/ return
- Save this file with a .ahk extension (e.g., hotkeys.ahk).
- Double-click the file to run it.
- Press Ctrl + Alt + R, and Radiopaedia should pop up in your browser.
This basic example is just the beginning—AHK can handle much more complex tasks.
Radiology-Specific Hotkeys
Here are a couple of hotkeys I use to make my day easier. Feel free to adapt them to fit your workflow.
Hotkey 1: Open All Your Essential Websites
This script opens a set of frequently used websites in Edge. Replace microsoft-edge: with chrome: if you prefer Chrome.
; Open multiple websites with Ctrl + Alt + L
^!l::
Run, microsoft-edge:https://radiopaedia.org/
Sleep, 500
Run, microsoft-edge:http://www.radshare.net/login
Sleep, 500
Run, microsoft-edge:https://pubs.rsna.org/journal/radiographics
Sleep, 500
Run, microsoft-edge:https://www.imaios.com/en/e-anatomy
Sleep, 500
Run, microsoft-edge:https://chat.openai.com/chat
Sleep, 500 return
This script saves time by opening all your go-to websites at once. Adjust the URLs and add as many as you need.
Hotkey 2: Global Shortcuts for PowerScribe
These shortcuts control PowerScribe, letting you toggle the microphone or navigate tabs, no matter which window is active.
; Toggle microphone with Ctrl + Alt + M
^!m::
WinActivate, PowerScribe
Send, {F4}
return
;Tab backward with Ctrl + Alt + ,
^!,::
WinActivate, PowerScribe
Send, +{Tab}
return
; Tab forward with Ctrl + Alt + . ^!.::
WinActivate, PowerScribe
Send, {Tab}
return
These shortcuts eliminate the hassle of switching windows or clicking through menus, especially useful if you map them to your mouse.
Learn More About AutoHotkey
AHK is incredibly flexible. You can:
- Automate software launches (e.g., PACS, dictation tools).
- Create text expansion scripts for commonly used phrases.
- Design workflow-specific shortcuts for nearly any task.
Why Try AutoHotkey?
If you're a radiologist or resident, every second counts. AHK helps you work smarter, not harder, by automating repetitive tasks and reducing clicks. Plus, it’s completely free to use.
Download AutoHotkey today, experiment with a few scripts, and see how much smoother your day can get.
