Radiologists Must Look Beyond Imaging to Remain at the Forefront of Healthcare

Radiology's continued success lies in radiologists' unflagging dedication to delivering the best possible care to every patient.

Arie Crown Theater

RSNA 2016's theme, "Beyond Imaging," signifies the shifting paradigm in the specialty and "that we, as radiologists, must extend our gaze beyond the constraints of the image to gain a broader perspective on the patient experience," said RSNA President Richard L. Baron, MD.

Radiologists need to be instrumental in building comprehensive healthcare teams, Dr. Baron said. He urges his radiology colleagues to think beyond the images they see in practice, stay abreast of advancing subspecialty medical knowledge, and more actively collaborate with referring physicians to improve patient outcomes.

"We have been a driving force in advancing patient care," said Dr. Baron, who will open RSNA's 102nd Annual Meeting with his presidential address "Beyond Imaging: Ensuring Radiology Impact in Clinical Care and Research" today at 8:30 a.m. in Arie Crown Theater. "The medical imaging and treatment innovations that we have created are unparalleled. Yet, as amazing as these advances are, they alone are not enough. We must remain at the forefront of research, moving it into clinical practice, and we must build stronger bonds with our medical colleagues."

That message applies to radiology's critical role in imaging research as well, he said.

"We must reach beyond imaging in radiologic research, building truly multidisciplinary teams to develop multicenter, multi-investigator prospective trials that impact outcomes for entire populations," said Dr. Baron, professor of radiology and chair emeritus of radiology at the University of Chicago. "Today's research will become tomorrow's clinical practice, requiring radiologists to develop and lead impactful clinical imaging research that will position us as an essential part of clinical care teams. And above all, we must look beyond imaging to gain a broader perspective on the patient experience."

Radiology and healthcare at large have entered a new era driven by changes to reimbursement models and an emphasis on value in patient care delivery, Dr. Baron said. Radiologists must produce examination reports that provide the solutions sought by patients and referring physicians rather than simply describe findings.

In his address today, Dr. Baron also will describe changes made to typical radiology practice models in the radiology departments of the University of Chicago and other institutions across the U.S. He will highlight measurable increases in value these changes are providing to radiologists' medical colleagues and patients.

"By embracing patient-centered medicine and building multidisciplinary teams in pursuit of better clinical outcomes, we position ourselves as an essential component of the patient's healthcare continuum," Dr. Baron said.

By embracing patient-centered medicine and building multidisciplinary teams in pursuit of better clinical outcomes, we position ourselves as an essential component of the patient's healthcare continuum.