- Plenary Session: Designing Radiology for Patients, Communities, & the Planet
-
T4-PL04Reed A. Omary MD Presenter
AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™: 1.00
ARRT Category A+ Credits: 0.00
Course Description:
Abstract
Healthcare is notorious for its frustrating experiences for patients, families, and the entire healthcare team. Everything from making appointments to understanding bills is complicated. It’s become almost expected for a simple primary care visit or imaging appointment to require a half day off from work. It shouldn’t be that way. As Radiology has become indispensable to all clinical practice, the opportunity for our field to influence medicine, and beyond, has grown.
How can Radiology lead this change into the future?
First, step outside of Radiology. We can learn from other sectors, including service, retail, transportation, entertainment, and hospitality. Every interaction on the outside is an opportunity to learn and improve what we provide on the inside.
Second, apply human-centered design to improve the care we provide patients. For years, industries outside of healthcare have used “design thinking” to develop improved products, experiences, and services. We can bring this thinking to healthcare to design better patient experiences. The design process begins with empathy. By understanding patient needs, we can clarify the problems that we are trying to solve. We can then brainstorm ideas, prototype, and test out potential solutions. This iterative process becomes a partnership between patients and the health care team. As we learn our way towards success, each interaction becomes a co-design experience.
Third, we can influence beyond the geographic borders of hospitals and imaging centers. Radiologists can promote the health and wellbeing of citizens outside of our clinical practices by helping design our communities better. Community-centered design includes spreading knowledge at nursing homes, schools, or local media; supporting the arts; serving on the boards of local non-profits; improving access for essential public services; and promoting public spaces. This civic mindset can be vastly expanded to consider health of the planet. Addressing the climate crisis requires a redesign of nearly everything we do, both professionally and personally. Furthermore, sustainability is a powerful tool to promote equity and justice.
What does the future hold? Vast change. As we look to Radiology in 2030, let’s prepare ourselves for career opportunities that do not yet exist, in a healthcare system that does not yet exist. Regardless of what 2030 brings, if we link the practices of design for our patients, communities, and the planet, we will multiply our impact.
For Radiology, it’s not just an opportunity; it’s our responsibility.
Session TypesTopics
Enter Note
Go to previous page in this tab
Session