As COVID-19 pressed hospitals to postpone procedures, reorient priorities and learn new ways to soldier on in service of the sick, one medical specialty distinguished itself as well prepared to lead by example, several observers suggest.
“The unique ability of interventional radiology to develop safety protocols allowed it to offer curative treatments, such as tumor ablation, as day case procedures. This enabled it and interventional oncology services to flourish.”
That’s from Jim Zhong, MD, an interventional radiology (IR) fellow at Leeds Teaching Hospital in the U.K.
Zhong is among a handful of IR physicians RSNA sought out for a brief consideration of the pandemic’s global effects on the specialty.
Other notable quotes in the roundup:
“[B]lanket postponement of non-COVID related treatment is probably detrimental and unnecessary as long as the vast majority of interventional radiology treatments are outpatient-based and the treatments can be postponed at short notice.”—Uei Pua, MBBS, MMED, Tan Tock Seng Hospital and the National University of Singapore
“Although a multidisciplinary approach has always been seen as beneficial, I felt that the workload and ever-evolving difficulties of the pandemic truly highlighted its impact. This collaborative relationship allowed for tailored patient care that was flexible in the face of COVID-19 protocols and difficulties.”—Daniel O’Neal, MD, Sentara Norfolk General Hospital in Virginia
“The standard of care in interventional radiology remained high throughout the pandemic and is most important now when patients are once again seeking care. All of radiology has remained easily adaptable and flexible during this challenging time, which can only result in a thriving specialty.”—Nadine Abi-Jaoudeh, MD, University of California Health
Despite “enormous challenges,” interventional radiologists “have continued to provide high-quality care and have learned vital lessons for responding to the next pandemic,” RSNA reports.
Dave P. has worked in journalism, marketing and public relations for more than 30 years, frequently concentrating on hospitals, healthcare technology and Catholic communications. He has also specialized in fundraising communications, ghostwriting for CEOs of local, national and global charities, nonprofits and foundations.