Few radiology subspecialties can match mammography at adopting new imaging modalities to improve patient care. Consider: The past 10 to 15 years have seen the rise of digital breast tomosynthesis, automated breast ultrasound, breast MRI (with and without diffusion weighting), low-dose positron emission mammography and contrast-enhanced dual-energy digital mammography. That’s just to name a few.
It’s been two and a half years since Microsoft completed its acquisition of Nuance Communications for a reported $19.7 billion. At the time of the March 2022 transaction, Microsoft said it liked Nuance for its core strengths—AI-powered voice recognition and related software and services—across numerous industries.
A recent 2024 PocketHealth survey of 202 U.S. hospital and imaging center decision-makers highlights the significant challenges healthcare providers face with legacy image exchange systems. The survey and conversations with industry leaders reveal that these outdated solutions impact both operational efficiency and patient satisfaction, often resulting in additional workload and increased costs.
Five years ago, two key takeaways from a survey of their pathologists sent NorthShore University HealthSystem toward the front lines of a technological revolution: digital pathology.
The team almost unanimously agreed that, first, it was time to consider AI as an aid to microscopic tissue analysis. And second, 73% wanted the flexibility to work remotely at another site or at home, at least sometimes, via telepathology.
It was about 2000 when Yale pathologist John Sinard, MD, PhD, first heard the prediction. “In five years, we won’t be using microscopes,” a respected peer quipped. “We’ll be examining all our slides as digitized images on computer monitors.”
Nearly a quarter-century later, Sinard reports: “I’m at my workstation, and my microscope is sitting right here next to me.”
Radiologists have an important choice to make at the beginning of their careers: do they want to start a fellowship after their residency or immediately join a radiology practice?
What a difference three years can make. In 2018 the radiologists of Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare registered a unanimous opinion: “There’s no way we’re going with Hitachi as our CT supplier.” Late 2021 finds the same tough crowd still united on the CT front.
The United States has faced a growing shortage of physicians for some time. This long-term trend—coupled with the pandemic and increased imaging demand throughout 2021—have led to a highly competitive radiologist employment market at a time when practices find themselves short-staffed, overworked, and in need of relief.
Can you recall the last shift during which you spent close to 100% of your time on clinical duties?
I can. It was my last shift. I had no administrative obligations, no committee meetings, no software glitches, no running around trying to find a physician or tech—just eyes on images and voice into the mic.
Medical malpractice claims are a significant source of anxiety for all radiologists. Unfortunately, decisions made in the heat of the moment, with the absolute best intentions, can still land a specialist in court.
Why would a 40 year old, well-respected player change their name amidst mass industry consolidation? Competitive move? Sure. Advantage for partners and patients? Illuminating. Over the last few years, there has been a dramatic reshape occurring in the practice of radiology.
Before the pandemic, hospitals were hesitant to embrace a cloud journey. Sure, some were using the cloud for research projects and used cloud-based applications like Microsoft 365, but use of the cloud for medical imaging data management was largely in its infancy.
On March 4, 2021, Kim Tzoumakas was appointed CEO of the company formerly known as the Center for Diagnostic Imaging (CDI) — now RAYUS Radiology by Wellspring Capital Management. Wellspring knew CDI had significant potential for growth and chose Tzoumakas to lead the organization; Tzoumakas was fresh off a successful turnaround and sale of 21st Century Oncology to GenesisCare in May 2020.
