Controlling the Significance of Our Lives

Nobel Peace Prize–winning activist Nelson Mandela said, “What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.”

For diagnostic radiologists, the difference we make in our professional lives comes from diverse contributions to patient care, supervision, and innovation. The first and foremost goal is a clear, concise, promptly delivered report that expedites and enhances patient care. Radiologists today combine years of training, experience, diligence, and an increasing array of technologies to provide the highest level of patient care ever. Some of the new AI technologies that help save time and improve performance include automated worklists and exam assignment, as well as intelligent report assistance. Those that allow for better diagnostic interpretation include intelligent processing of images, enhanced comparison protocols, lesion assessment, graphical reporting, and others. Each of these technologies will find a place in our daily practice.

Faster and more accurate image interpretation benefits radiologists, patients, and healthcare organizations. These gains also help reduce radiologists’ stress, which several recent studies have indicated as the leading issue radiologists face today. We can either choose to set new records for reading pace—some of which is definitely needed given the radiologist shortage—or spend the time savings on other activities that positively impact others in a variety of different ways. How we choose to spend the time savings provided by technology will ultimately determine the significance of the professional lives we lead.