Informatics in Medical Imaging

Jessyca B. Wagner, PhD, RT(R), CIIP*

^*Assistant Professor, Radiologic Sciences, Shimadzu School of Radiologic Sciences, Midwestern State University, Wichita Falls, TX.

Address correspondence to: Jessyca B. Wagner, PhD, RT(R), CIIP. E-mail: jessyca.wagner@msutexas.edu.

Disclosure statement: The author reports having no significant financial or advisory relationships with corporate organizations related to this activity.

 ABSTRACT

The acquisition, storage, retrieval, and use of healthcare information, termed health informatics, has become commonplace in medical facilities. Imaging informatics combines health informatics with medical imaging techniques to provide optimized patient care. It is important for radiologic technologists (RTs) to understand the equipment used in the medical imaging department, how it works, and how it can be interfaced with informatics throughout the medical facility, like electronic medical records (EMRs) to improve the patient care experience and the RT's workflow. Image management systems and standards are also important to understand ensuring the technology available is used to its highest potential and to minimize the likelihood of error. The most recent introduction to health informatics is artificial intelligence, and its role in medical imaging has the potential to provide the detection and diagnosis of abnormalities and cancer, predict prognosis and treatment plans, and even improve the day-to-day operations of the department from scheduling staff and patients to communicating with patients and referring physicians. This course discusses these topics and provides an overview of imaging informatics and how it can affect the future of the imaging department.