The American College of Radiology's Commission on Patient- and Family-Centered Care on Feb. 16 convened a new subcommittee to facilitate the development of medical imaging technology that supports patient-centered care strategies. Dr. Tessa Cook, chief of 3-D and advanced imaging at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, will chair the new group called the Informatics Committee. Dr. Arun Krishnaraj, co-editor of the Journal of the American College of Radiology Imaging Informatics Resource Center, will serve as vice chair.
Technology's Role
According to experts in the field, radiology departments looking to institute patient-centered models of care must adopt technology that empowers patients, reported Business Radiology. For instance, widespread adoption of cutting-edge image-sharing platforms and portals would allow patients to easily access their information and become genuinely engaged, one of the key goals of the patient-centered movement.
"With more patient access to information through portals, presented in a language they understand, patients will come to understand radiology's role in their care and feel more empowered to have a say in it," Dr. James Rawson, chair of the Department of Radiology and Imaging at the Medical College of Georgia and chair of the ACR's Commission on Patient- and Family-Centered Care, told Radiology Business.
Additionally, improved image-sharing platforms might help radiologists, as easy access to prior studies stored in PACS would reduce rates of overutilization, which has been a key concern for medical imaging professionals for the past five to 10 years, reported The New Yorker.
Moving Toward A Patient-Centered Future
The American College of Radiology created the Commission on Patient- and Family-Centered Care last July to address this ideological shift, reported AuntMinnie.com. Since its formation, the panel has created the Imaging Informatics Resource Center for providers intending to shift to a patient-centered model. The commission also collaborated with the Radiological Society of North America on its Radiology Cares initiative, a campaign encouraging radiologists to focus on patient experience.
The new Informatics Committee will focus on the technological aspects of the patient-centered care revolution.
"Informatics Committee members will examine technology solutions that support patient- and family-centered care, enhancing the patient experience while increasing efficiency and reducing costs through improved workflow and communications," Rawson said in a statement. "Patient engagement is a critical element in the redesign of the country's health care system – and this affects how we create, store, find, manipulate and share information."
Ronny Bachrach
Latest posts by Ronny Bachrach (see all)
- Konica Minolta Debuts First-of-Its-Kind Digital U-Arm System at AHRA - July 27, 2016
- Researchers Detect Signs Of Stroke Risk Using MRI - June 27, 2016
- Imaging Biz: Q&A with David S. Channin MD: How to Make PACS Patient Centered - June 22, 2016
0
0
0
