J Am Coll Radiol. 2016 Feb;13(2):222-5. doi: 10.1016/j.jacr.2015.09.023.
Misono AS1, Prabhakar AM2, Liu RW2, Shetty SK3.
What Is the Current State of Radiology?
Radiology is at the cusp of reinvention. In this age of accountable care organizations and bundled payment models, radiologists are seeking ways to demonstrate value to patient care 1 and 2. A myriad of approaches have been proposed, including those relying on technology or proposing new clinical responsibilities. All approaches have one goal in common: to render radiology an indispensable part of clinical care.
By definition, we radiologists are consulting physicians, similar to our colleagues in medical and surgical specialties. We survive on referrals and are valued predominantly on our ability to provide consultative expertise. However, unlike our colleagues, we are typically disconnected from our patients and may become increasingly distanced from them in new care delivery models [3]. As radiologists seek to optimize their position within this brave new world, we may benefit from understanding experiences in analogous industries outside of health care.