Researchers from the University of Sussex in the U.K. have launched a software application that synthesizes diagnostic image information to produce a risk stratification report for predicting treatment responses and prognosis in cancer patients.

One of the most misunderstood, murky and maligned healthcare terms is meaningful use. The concept is particularly vexing for radiology departments as medical imaging represents the apex of meaningful deployment of IT, yet the specialty was overlooked in preliminary meaningful use (MU) discussions.

We've seen a winter marked by snowpocalypse and political cacophony that plummeted to new lows. The slightest wisp of thaw seemed to be the air in the wake of the Tucson tragedy, but just as quickly the GOP pulled the rug out with H.R. 2, designed to repeal the job killing healthcare law.

For more than a decade, patients have been assuming greater control over their healthcare, facilitated almost exclusively by the internet. Clinicians and administrators alike are well-aware of the benefits and dangers of this trendinformed patients can make better decisions regarding their health; misinformed patients, in addition to making poor decisions, may mimic sophomoric med students with compulsive and inaccurate self-diagnoses.

Utahs House of Representatives has approved legislation that would allow radiologist assistants (RAs) to perform radiologic procedures under radiologist supervision, setting it up to become the 30th state to recognize RAs, pending the bills approval by the state senate and Gov. Gary R. Herbert.

New technologies can be quickly and widely adopted without close attention to applying them to patients who will truly benefit. Policymakers need to consider how new technologies either become substitutes for or expand upon existing technologies to understand their true cost-effectiveness, Laurence C. Baker, PhD, a professor of health research and policy at Stanford University in Stanford, Calif., said in an interview.

Beginning next week, Royal Philips Electronics will be offering dictation recorder apps for Apples iPhone and iPad.

The California legislature has introduced Assembly Bill 352, which would allow a radiologist assistant to perform medical imaging services under the direct supervision of a supervising radiologist.