RSNA President: Let’s get back to basics

RSNA President Richard Baron, MD, delivered the RSNA 16 opening address to a packed Arie Crown Theater, kicking off a week of radiological education in Chicago.

The keynote, entitled “Beyond Imaging,” highlighted the dramatic impact of technology on the specialty and laid a roadmap for continuing to provide value-based care in a rapidly changing environment.

Technology has isolated radiologists, distancing radiologists from their referring physicians—even when they’re at the same facility. While the digital revolution has created new technology, that advancement has plateaued, according to Baron, who is also a professor of radiology at the University of Chicago. Physicians in other fields are becoming proficient at image interpretation, threatening the value the profession can provide.

“Patient expectations have also evolved, requiring radiologists to change the way they interact with patients and referring providers,” said Baron. “This shift does not require revolutionary changes in practice and culture—I see it as more of a return to basics.”

Radiologist used to be known as the ‘renaissance doctors’ of the hospital: proficient in incorporating signs, symptoms and history into a differential diagnosis. Baron said radiologists should focus on recapturing that breadth of expertise—learning about new diseases, drugs or surgical procedures—all in the name of providing value in meaningful conclusions.

“It was not unusual for the best specialty clinicians to routinely seek the opinions of experienced radiologists to solve their most difficult diagnoses,” he said. “We need to once again become renaissance physicians.”

Even with a wide base of expertise, a radiologist can’t go it alone. A true team approach is vital to the continuing success of a radiology department, said Baron.

“In our present model, we suffer from the unintended consequences of the conveniences of technology,” he said. “While technology essentially eliminates the need for face-to-face interactions, it becomes increasingly easy for radiology to operate in a vacuum.

An overly siloed workflow can result in disconnected medical teams and de-personalized radiology reports, but imaging providers around the country are working to change this model—and seeing impressive results. Radiology departments at the University of Colorado, University of Chicago, and Johns Hopkins University have relocated reading rooms closer to the consulting physicians, resulting in more in-person interaction and improved collaboration. Radiologists at NYU bring staff together virtually during morning rounds and embed additional useful images in radiology reports. Improvements that generate measureable value like these are immensely important to the future of the profession, according to Baron.

“The key to our success is to strive to do what’s best for each individual patient at all times and to develop clinically relevant research focused on patient outcomes,” he said. “With these changes in place, we will position ourselves, our radiology departments, and the specialty of radiology as valued resources and indispensable partners in patient care.”