Introduction Widespread use of medical imaging has led to a significant increase in the use of radiologic contrast media (CM). Half of the estimated 78 million computed tomography (CT) examinations and 37 million magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations performed annually…
Introduction Radiation risks are of concern in pregnant patients due to the potential of harmful effects on the fetus. However, due to referring physician concerns about maternal health, some exams using ionizing radiation have to be performed in pregnant patients.…
Introduction The practice of medicine frequently requires that physicians make critical diagnostic and treatment decisions with incomplete information, working in a background of high uncertainty. The specialty of diagnostic radiology is not exempt from this reality. Although people in other…
Informatics is the science and practice of computer information systems. Imaging informatics encompasses the use of information technology to deliver efficient, accurate, and reliable medical imaging services within a healthcare network. Its imprint is felt in every step of the…
Dominant Payers in American Healthcare Most healthcare costs, roughly 72% by current estimates, are paid by third-party payers. Insured patients still have out-of-pocket expenses, for example, to meet copayments and deductibles, depending on the actuarial value of their plan. Approximately…
Introduction It is indeed human to err, yet unrealistic expectations for perfection persist throughout the practice of medicine. For radiology, the challenge has increased substantially in recent years due to rapidly advancing imaging technologies, increasing volumes of studies, each with…
Introduction Errors are innate in every field of medicine and persist despite the best efforts of medical professionals to be (or become) flawless. In fact, the prevalence of errors by radiologists (i.e., the radiology error rate) has been remarkably constant…
Introduction Radiology reports are instrumental in decisions about patient management in most medical specialties. Clear communication requires written reports to be accurate, concise, and unambiguous. Constructing a quality report constitutes a critical, although often neglected, component of radiologists’ training and…
Principles of Medical Professionalism and the Physician Charter As societal norms have transformed and continued to evolve, physicians and other clinicians have faced significant legal, moral, and ethical quandaries that have influenced the practice of medicine. Although the development of…
Introduction The Institute of Medicine highlighted the essential role of patient-centered care by including it as one of the committee’s six specific aims for improving healthcare in Crossing the Quality Chasm (2001). In this report, patient-centered healthcare is defined as…