Reinventing Radiology in the Digital Age

Digital imaging devices, computer-based image-management systems, and radiology information systems (RIS) are the three building blocks that serve as the foundation for the all-digital practice of radiology (1). In the first instance, these digital technologies have been used simply to replace the analog imaging systems and the manual information and film-handling systems, used historically for management of the radiology work process, with digital and computer-based systems. More important, these building blocks have rapidly become the enabling platform technologies for radiologists and imaging scientists to use in exploring new and potentially transformational directions. In the new digital universe of medical imaging, opportunities abound to create entirely new clinical applications, new practice models, and new ways of creating value for stakeholders that were unimaginable only a few years ago.