The Radiologist As Clinical Activist: A Time To Focus Outward

Abstract

Radiology has witnessed dramatic in its imaging technology and in the infomation management and image management technology to support it. These have resulted to some extent in a preoccupation of the field with all of its technology, and with its internal operations. Yet the practice of medicine has undergone considerable change over this same period, precipitated to some extent by the high cost of the technology. This, among other factors, has brought about increased need for the radiologist to become more clinically active in helping to determine the rational use of imaging procedures and to aid in the interpretation of them. A re-examination of the radiologic process reveals many levels in whicn closer coupling between clinical and radiologic activities would be beneficial. A variety of computer tools can be useful in facilitating this. In particular, as guidelines and protocols for clinical care become increasingly integrated into practice, research and development focused in this area by radiologists and their biostatistical and decision Science collaborators should be of high priority.