Remembering the Patients Behind the Pixels

I can confidently say that I don’t like reading spine images. Like many other radiology residents, spine scans were some of the most difficult to interpret during my early days of training. As a new radiology resident on her first day, looking at a spine filled with hardware pointing every which way was intimidating! Despite this, I have come to understand how important all medical imaging is, and what a vital role radiologists play in the healthcare system. With many radiology practices emphasizing RVUs and efficiency, we can’t forget there are real patients behind the images and that we truly make an impact on patients’ lives. 

An example that sticks out in my mind occurred during my first year of residency. 

I was on the phone with a midlevel provider who — after I explained that based on their patient’s scan, my attending and I thought it highly likely that the patient had some sort of lymphoma — proceeded to admit they were very new to practice, had only seen this patient once and had no idea what to do next to get this patient proper follow-up care. We instructed the provider to submit oncology and biopsy referrals, after which the patient would likely obtain a PET scan. For me, this was a true instance of using my knowledge to guide a patient’s management. 

An important tool that would have helped this provider is what I recommend to all ordering providers — the ACR Appropriateness Criteria®. This resource includes evidence-based guidelines that assist referring physicians and other providers in making the most appropriate imaging decisions for their patients, which can lead to better allocation of resources and ultimately, better outcomes for patients. 

The ACR also has numerous resources for residents and radiologists at every stage of their career. For example, the Continuous Professional Improvement program provides current, content-rich casework developed by more than 200 experts, including self-assessments in essential areas of ABR-required study. As stated in a recent ACR Bulletin article, “The program’s editors-in-chief, editors, reviewers, authors and staff are passionate about continuous professional development and the importance of continuous education in radiology.” 

Even though the field of radiology (including spine imaging) is intimidating to a new learner, it is reassuring to know there are endless resources available to guide us through every stage of our career, put together by outstanding educators who want us to succeed and contribute to the ever-growing field of radiology.