As radiologists yield to pressure to generate more relative value units, the threat of commoditization grows and the opportunity to build consultancy skills lessens. A pilot study that paired a radiology resident with internal medicine teams on clinical rounds benefited physicians and patients.

For decades, medicine has been an insider’s club, shrouded in secrecy and touted as different from other businesses. Insiders often cite clinical complexity and state-of-the-art technology as reasons for maintaining the insider’s club. But this model is on the demise.

The quarterly masters of radiology panel discussion published in the July issue of the American Journal of Roentgenology focused on the strategies radiologists need to employ to retain control over imaging.

For some time, studies of medical imaging use revealed skyrocketing utilization starting around the turn of the millennium. This invigorated efforts to control usage rates, mostly by way of trimming reimbursement. The story is now shifted.

In the past year, the radiology department at Massachusetts General Hospital opened a consultation clinic for patients as a pilot program.

“Discontent.” “Disconnected.” “Dissatisfied.” These are the words that stick out when scanning a report on physician satisfaction from Alpharetta, Ga.-based Jackson Healthcare.

Inappropriately-used medical tests are a product of a myriad of issues within the U.S. healthcare system, but physicians can certainly take steps to better allocate resources.

The Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) Research and Education (R&E) Foundation will fund 85 grants totaling more than $3 million in 2013, the largest amount ever awarded by the Foundation in a single year.