Early hype implied that artificial intelligence would replace radiologists. Turns out the opposite is closer to the truth. Without radiologists there is zero potential for the future of AI in diagnostic imaging. Radiologists are integral to model development, testing and validation.

While workflows change to balance growing demand for imaging studies with decreasing capacity, it is essential that patient care is not compromised. Radiology practices must be prepared to invest and adapt for the long term to ensure critical performance metrics remain solid in this volatile environment.

The demand for imaging studies is expected to continue to increase for the foreseeable future. However, the number of radiologists on hand to perform those studies will remain relatively flat, and potentially decline. This is creating a market-wide capacity imbalance that is straining performance across radiology.

For me, the collegiality of the practice of radiology is a highlight of my daily work. When I first considered leaving a traditional practice for teleradiology, I was worried that working remotely would leave me feeling disconnected. In actuality, I’ve never felt more engaged in a supportive and interdependent team committed to delivering quality patient care.

Over 4 billion people – two-thirds of the global population – do not have access to imaging technology or radiology services, according to RAD-AID. The lack of effective diagnostic tools has dire consequences for patients in unserved and underserved regions of the world.

Moving past the initial media hype, practitioners are beginning to demonstrate how AI applications can enhance the ability of radiologists to support better patient outcomes.

Some radiologists perceive teleradiology as the “Dark Side” of our profession. I may have counted myself among those skeptics, but I now see the light and am happy to share a place among the converts.

Claim denials drive up the cost of healthcare and divert resources from the primary goal of delivering quality patient care. When it comes to radiology services, the vast majority of claim denials can be attributed to insufficient documentation of medical necessity for three types of studies.

Claims management is essential to patient care. If a facility is not properly reimbursed for medical services rendered, patient care will ultimately be compromised.