Path Forward
As the world begins to open back up, some challenges wane, while others arise. Panelists spoke about the need for a staunch commitment to patient safety. They anticipate patients will be scared to return for non-urgent elective imaging, and they want to make sure patients feel — and are — safe. This will involve many changes, they said, including de-densifying reading and waiting rooms, switching to online scheduling and patient forms, having patients drink contrast before they come in for imaging or having patients wait in their cars for appointments.
The new normal of the post-pandemic radiology world may require radiologists to step back and look at the bigger picture, according to Rachel Gerson, MD. “I’d like us to think about not just retuning to how we did things before, but how might we change things in the future,” she said. “What things probably don’t need a six-month follow-up? There’s a lot of overuse in imaging, which is good for our bottom line, but not good for imaging.” Gerson challenged her colleagues to think creatively and try to conceive of a different reality in the future that puts the focus on the appropriate, judicious use of imaging and resources.
“This crisis has had a profound impact on so many lives,” said Yiing Hu, medical student and incoming intern, “but with this unique challenge, we have an opportunity to demonstrate positive change.”
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