The radiologist shortage is a pressing concern, driven by factors such as an aging population, increased imaging demand, and a significant number of retirements post-pandemic. The American College of Radiology forecasts that annual imaging studies will soon surpass one billion, exacerbating the strain on the radiologist workforce. Contributing factors include a projected shortage of up to 42,000 radiologists by 2033, with imaging studies increasing by up to 5% annually, while radiology residency positions grow by only 2%. Nearly half of U.S. radiologists are at retirement age, and the radiology technologist vacancy rate has risen to 18.1% from 6.2% three years ago. Potential solutions being considered include adopting AI tools to assist with workloads, federal legislation to increase funding for residency positions, and strategies to retain and augment the current workforce.

Radiologist Shortage Threatens Timely Healthcare Amid Rising Demand Becker's Hospital Review

Winter Storm Blair has caused significant disruption to health systems in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic, leading to many clinic closures and the postponement of elective procedures. Beginning January 5, the storm impacted regions from Kansas to New Jersey, with severe snowfall, particularly in Kansas City where over 11 inches fell. States including Arkansas, Kansas, and Maryland declared states of emergency in response to the storm, which also left more than 318,000 people without power. Health facilities like Beebe Healthcare in Delaware adapted by closing physical locations while still providing virtual consultations and maintaining emergency services.

Winter Storm Blair Disrupts Health Services Across Midwest and Mid-Atlantic Becker's Hospital Review

As the deadline for 2025 nears, Crystal Broj, Chief Digital Transformation Officer at Medical University of South Carolina, stresses that digital transformation in health systems should prioritize substantial changes that enhance patient outcomes and clinician experiences. She outlines three critical areas for focus: ensuring strategic alignment with organizational goals; enhancing both patient and provider experiences through qualitative measures; and emphasizing scalability and sustainability of digital initiatives. Broj raises an important consideration for the future—how health systems will evaluate their success in digital transformation by 2027.

"Health Systems Must Prioritize Digital Transformation for Lasting Impact" LinkedIn

The FDA is set to publish new draft guidance on January 7 aimed at developers of AI-enabled medical devices, offering recommendations for marketing submissions and regulatory oversight throughout the product life cycle. This guidance represents a comprehensive framework for the management of these devices, emphasizing the importance of early and continuous engagement between developers and the agency. It builds on previous guidance regarding change control for AI and machine learning components, which helps facilitate device updates without requiring new marketing submissions. The FDA's initiative also focuses on ensuring transparency and addressing bias in AI systems, providing developers with essential resources for navigating the complexities of integrating AI in healthcare.

FDA Unveils Groundbreaking Guidance for AI-Enabled Medical Devices Healthcare IT News