Mapping the values of radiology

Abstract

Radiology is polyvalent, as it is valuable in many ways to many groups, such as to individuals, professionals, and populations. However, not all values are positive. While Value-Based HealthCare (VBHC) has moved the focus from volume-based to value-based health care and Value-Based Radiology (VBR) has highlighted a vast variety of values in radiology, such frameworks provide no measures to differentiate, assess, and balance the various values. Based on value theory this article provides a value map for radiology. The map can be helpful to a) identify and understand the complexity of values in radiology, b) differentiate and assess the values of radiology’s various tasks and aspects, c) to address potential value conflicts in radiology, and d) to maximize the positive and minimize its negative value. Mapping the values of radiology thus is crucial for understanding and increasing the importance of imaging.