Improving efficiency and overcoming challenges: Expert insights
By Evis Sala , MD, PhD, FRCR, FRCP | Chiara Bucciarelli Ducci , MD, PhD, FESC | Lisandro Paganini | Barry D. Pressman , MD ∙ May 01 2025 ∙ Duration 3:50
Fragmented systems, time-consuming manual tasks, and the need for better integration are key hurdles. As patient volumes continue to rise, so does the need for seamless workflows and innovative solutions to enhance efficiency. In this interview, experts share insights on overcoming these obstacles, improving patient care, and leveraging integrated technology to streamline workflows.
At-a-glance:
One of the primary challenges in radiology today is improving workflow efficiency, especially as imaging volumes grow. Radiologists often face the burden of juggling multiple software systems, which can slow down their work.
A major focus is on breaking these workflow silos by creating a seamless experience where all the necessary tools are available within the same platform – having access to a unified workspace radiologists can access tools with a single click, drastically reducing time spent switching between different systems.
“Having everything in one place opens up new opportunities for more seamless data integration, making our workflow more efficient.”
Evis Sala MD, PhD, FRCR, FRCP
Professor and Chair, Department of Radiology Italy
AI introduction has proven to be a game changer in overcoming these challenges. For example, in cardiac imaging, AI-driven post-processing tools have made a significant impact on her workflow. What took over an hour for manual analysis is now accomplished with just a click, increasing her productivity exponentially. By automating time-consuming tasks, AI not only can help accelerate the process but also improves precision, consistency, and overall diagnostic confidence. These advancements allow radiologists to see more patients, complete more reports, and ultimately provide better care in less time.
Efficiency is not limited to the image-reading process alone, but it’s also improving population health management by identifying conditions like osteoporosis or coronary artery disease earlier. This capability enables earlier intervention and helps avoid unnecessary procedures, benefiting both the patient and healthcare systems. Moreover, workflow improvements, such as AI-powered notifications that flag urgent cases, can definitely help radiologists prioritize their workload and manage the high volume of images they handle daily.
“AI will help radiology by speeding up image processing and managing the vast number of images. If AI can filter out irrelevant images, we can focus on the important ones, making the process more efficient and valuable with fewer images to review.”
Barry D. Pressman, MD
Chair and Professor Department of Imaging United States of America
The integration of voice recognition and multimedia reporting has streamlined the creation of reports giving radiologists the possibility to produce more comprehensive reports that include images, graphs, and tables, all within the same system. Additionally, advancements in patient report access allow patients to view their reports online, eliminating the need for in-person visits and improving the overall patient experience.
“The ability to create multimedia reports with images, graphs, and tables helps referring physicians better understand our findings, which boosts our efficiency.”
Lisandro Paganini, MD
Deputy Chief of the Diagnostic Imaging Department Argentina
Disclaimer
Results are specific to the institution where they were obtained and may not reflect the results achievable at other institutions.
