The shift from summer to fall is a subtle reminder that nothing lasts forever but, in the northeast at least, it also offers a respite from the heat and humidity. By late winter, I’ll be ready for warm weather again, but I appreciate the change in seasons. Change is constant, particularly in health care, where it often leads to more effective treatments and better care, even if the immediate result is the disruption of existing patterns. In this issue, we’re tracking progress in a few areas that have potential to lead to better health care down the road.
In our cover feature, Jessica Zimmer reports on the ripple effects of Microsoft sunsetting its PowerScribe 360 speech recognition and reporting software. PowerScribe 360 has been the dominant platform for more than a decade, but much has changed in that time. Radiology departments have new options, and pressures such as high imaging volumes and workforce shortages are causing many departments to look for ways to simplify reporting. The growth of AI tools is also contributing to the need for streamlined workflow. Rather than reporting being a standalone platform, today’s radiology departments want the reporting function to blend in seamlessly. Newer platforms are attempting to make that happen.
In the treatment realm, GLP-1s have been in the news quite a bit, lately, and it seems like it was only a matter of time before people began to explore their potential benefits beyond weight loss. Selena Chavis examines some recent studies that suggest GLP-1s may have some cancer prevention benefits, notably regarding breast cancer prevention. Although more research is needed, the findings have gotten people’s attention. In the near term, radiologists should keep in mind that patients who lose a significant amount of weight may have noticeably different mammogram results from previous years.
Beyond identifying disease states, researchers are also looking for ways to transform everyday imaging studies into predictive tools. Medical images contain much more information than what is currently used for diagnosis, and Beth W. Orenstein speaks with experts about the potential to stratify a patient’s risk of developing disease based on routine imaging. With help from AI, progress is being made, but there is more research required and questions that need to be answered before these tools can be deployed.
The thinking related to medical displays is also undergoing a shift. Ergonomics, reliability, and ease of use are still important factors, but with more exam types to support, as well as growing demand for pathology viewing, radiologists are not only interested in image resolution; they want monitors that support workflow. They also want larger and, in many cases, multiple displays that can act in concert and easily switch modalities. Additionally, radiology and IT managers want quality assurance and calibration that remains consistent across the enterprise. Keith Loria has the details on page 20.
Enjoy the issue.
— Dave Yeager
david.yeager@gvpub.com