The invention of technology has transformed various sectors in the contemporary world. Technological improvements have revolutionized different fields within the healthcare world. In the radiology field, technological inventions have changed the professional nature of radiology technicians. Major inventions in the computer and communication technology have facilitated the changes in the radiology technician field. Although Wilhem Rontgen discovered X-rays in the 1800s, significant technological advancements have positively reformed the radiology technician field. The future of the health-imaging also depends on the current major technological trends. Technological inventions are changing the roles of the radiologists and revolutionizing the radiology technician field. However, these inventions have strained the relationship between radiology technicians and other clinicians, increased concerns regarding data security, and increased unnecessary pressure upon radiologists. Even though some scholars and seasoned radiologists argue that technological inventions have negatively transformed the radiology technician field, the positive transformations outweigh the negative changes.
Technology has revolutionized radiology by transforming it from a diagnostic specialty to a treatment-related specialty. Technological inventions in this field make it possible for repeated imaging to treat diseases. Technology inventions allow imaging of fine molecules promoting the detection and treatment of diseases. This aspect changes radiology technicians' role because it will require them to collaborate with other clinicians to conduct image-guided treatments (Ranschaert, 2016). Recent years have witnessed the expansion of interventional radiology due to technological advancements. Clinicians and specialists are adopting and practicing minimal invasion surgical procedures that fall under interventional radiology. In this case, radiologists need to train in diagnostic imaging and technical intervention to remain relevant in the fast-changing world. They also need to familiarize themselves with the caring of patients. Technological inventions also allow radiologists to take and handle direct referrals making them strategic operators in the diagnosis and treatment of patients. Other opportunities available in the radiology technician field because of technology include quantitative imaging.
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Technology inventions in radiology have transformed the process of monitoring administered therapies. This aspect contributes significantly to the management of chronic diseases that require extended periods to treat. In this case, innovative imaging diagnoses and monitors the administered interventions to study the progress of a patient and the outcome of the intervention.
Technological inventions in the radiology field are transforming the training of current and future radiologists. The inventions are encouraging sub-specialization to sustain the radiology technicians in this rapidly changing health field. Before the recent inventions, most radiologists focused on specific imaging aspects. However, modern imaging techniques are likely to limit the interpretations of such radiologists. Currently, radiologists deal with different specialists and clinicians, creating the need for these radiologists to be conversant with all radiology aspects and techniques, especially the modern approaches. This aspect implies that the training of future radiology technicians needs to include all aspects of this field and avoid specialization. Subspecialization will be vital in addressing the challenge of information overload currently witnessed in the field (European Society of Radiology, 2010). Technological advancements complicate the radiology department, creating a need for radiology technicians who can handle all cases. Subspecialization will also help radiologists have in-depth knowledge and technical experience to handle all clinicians and their patients. Moreover, currently, radiologists can only perform interventional radiology if they are familiar with the modern technologies and devices within this field. Besides, the rapid technological changes within the healthcare sector require radiologists to have the necessary knowledge to make fundamental decisions regarding the radiology images and reports.
Technological inventions have made imaging more accessible within the healthcare industry through tele-radiology that involves remote radiology coverage. Accessibility to medical services is key to the diagnosis and recovery of a patient. Moreover, most hospitals are adopting measures to achieve balanced workloads between different facilities. Previously, clinicians had to access imaging centers or equipped healthcare facilities to get the images (Fornell, 2013). This aspect increased costs and exposed patients to more radiations. Modern inventions involving remote viewing allow clinicians to view and interpret images without incurring additional costs on the patient and exposing them to more radiations. Moreover, clients can also access these images and reports with this invention.
Technological inventions have improved efficiency within the radiology technician field. The inventions in this field speed up the clocks allowing radiologists to view more images within less time. Previously, radiologists would wait for the acquisition, printing, and sorting of the films and then hung them. Technical inventions in radiology provide a massive quantity of information. For instance, previous radiology machines provided images equivalent to 12 slices of salami through the abdomen. Nevertheless, current machines produce more than 50 slices (Wachter, 2017). These machines have enormous memory banks and high transmission speeds that make it possible for radiologists to scroll through the images and do efficient readings. These modern machines not only provide more information but also provide old films for review. They also channel the images to the right clinicians or recipients in the correct manner to avoid mix-ups that may result in clinical errors.
Technology inventions have changed radiology by changing the patients' perception of radiologists. Most patients perceive radiologists as strangers in their care because of the minimum contact. They view radiological services as inconvenient and intrusive to their privacy. Patients chose radiologists through some intermediaries and their physicians. Since patients and radiologists rarely meet, patients view them as equipment handlers and not physicians (European Society of Radiology, 2010). Although most patients prefer hearing the radiologist's interpretation, the limited radiology-patient relationship restricts them. Technological inventions in the field seek to improve this relationship through the interventional procedure. This innovative procedure requires radiologists to introduce themselves and explain the diagnosis and treatment plan. This aspect makes patients view radiologists as physicians who contribute significantly to their recovery.
Technology inventions revolutionize the radiology technician field by facilitating the setting up of clinical groups by radiologists. As aforementioned, technology has promoted tele-radiology, facilitating sub-specialization of the radiology services. This aspect has prompted large hospitals to set up satellite radiology facilities isolating these radiologists (European Society of Radiology, 2010). Although this move works best during emergencies, it affects networking among the radiologists. As such, to remain relevant and updated with current technological development, these radiologists opt to work in clinical settings instead of providing comprehensive radiology services. They are setting up well-staffed and well-financed single facilities to handle clinicians and patients who need prompt imaging services. This development also results in maximum use of resources since the radiologists use small and well-equipped settings to serve a large number of patients within a short time.
Although technological inventions in radiology transformed the radiology positively, they also have negative transformations. First, they have changed the perceptions of other clinicians towards radiology technicians. The inventions have reduced contact between the radiologists and patients. A large number of radiologists and radiology students identify the reduced contact as the major attraction to this field. The happiest and most satisfied physicians are the radiation oncologists. They have attractive salary scales, satisfying work, and predictable working schedules (Wachter, 2017). This aspect makes other clinicians view radiologists as individuals who perform the least in the wellbeing of patients. On the other hand, radiologists feel alienated by other clinicians because technological inventions have eroded their entitlement for authoritative radiology knowledge. Currently, technology allows clinicians to analyze the images without the help of the radiology technicians. Clinicians, especially specialists, view the images and make their own interpretations. The majority of them rarely go through the radiologists' reports that provide in-depth information regarding a particular case.
Second, technological inventions in radiology risk the security of patient data. As hospitals are adopting tele-radiology, concerns regarding data security arise. This aspect prompts the need for stringent measures to protect patients' information and comply with the existing regulations. Third, technological inventions result in a high speed of clocks subjecting radiologists to unnecessary and unhealthy pressure. These images become available to the clinicians once created, forcing radiologists to do their reviews quickly. Since technological advancements have increased the imaging pace, insurance firms have also slashed repayment for the interpretations (Wachter, 2017). They argue that the current imaging process is less involving. This aspect forces the radiology technicians to read a large number of films within a short time to sustain their incomes. Consequently, it exerts pressure on their work resulting in feelings of frustration among them.
Recent years have witnessed the contribution of the numerous technological innovations and advanced clinical research on the radiology technician field. These technologies have transformed this field and improved the diagnosis and treatment of various diseases. The positive transformations include increased efficiency due to high speed, offer treatment and not just diagnosis of diseases, improved monitoring of administered therapies, increased accessibility to radiology services, adoption of new training techniques for prospective radiologists, creation of additional opportunities for radiologists within clinical settings, and improved patients' perception of radiologists. Negative transformations include straining the relationship between radiologists and other clinicians, increased concerns regarding patient data security, and unnecessary pressure upon radiologists. Although technology has its drawbacks, it has revolutionized and improved radiology services improving patient outcomes.
References
European Society of Radiology. (2010). The future role of radiology in healthcare. Insights Imaging, 1 (1), 2–11.
Fornell, D. (2013, February 8). New Trends and Technology in Radiology. Imaging Techology News .
Ranschaert, E. (2016). The Impact of Information Technology on Radiology Services: An Overview. Journal of Belgian Society of Radiology, 100 (1).
Wachter, B. (2017, January 28). Has Technology Ruined the Radiology Profession? KQED .
