System Networking Advices for Smart Teleradiology

There is a strong perception that system networking is a 'computer science' thing and unrelated to radiology per say. However, nobody would deny that there is a great connection between the configuration of system networks at Diagnostic Facilities and acquisition of timely and qualitative MRI or CT Scan or Dicom Images. Often, a successful Teleradiologist outsmarts others in teleradiology business by acquiring little of networking knowledge. How? Read here: 

As a Smart Teleradiologist, it is necessary to win over hearts of multiple clients like- diagnostic facilities, hospitals, technicians, other doctors, and referring doctors and finally patients. Compared to other trades, radiology enterprise could quickly start in few hours. Upon kickstart, a fellow radiologist is a Teleradiology Service Provider in the eyes of Hospitals or Diagnostic Facilities only he needs is  relevant documents and qualifications. There are teleradiology platforms that provide space to Tele-radiologists but they keep a business distance as it's like giving their own business to others. A senior radiologist without disclosing his name says," I have seen many teleradiology platforms where I worked on a monthly basis but TeleradiologyHub is different. The platform backs your enterprise with all essential things in the business- it does prepare your Accounting, provides files for taxes, it helps you in getting client, also cost management, it profilers personalized Brand on wikiradio,  provides help in price/rates negotiations and also shares subject knowledge including the business intelligence. This platform helps to increase your visibility in the eyes of patients from 24 countries by taking you in second opinion panel. But as a Teleradiologist I have to also work with other platforms to get more work and earn"

Yes ! Teleradiologists are always on look-out to add more cases to their portfolio. They want to increase their chances of serving many other clients or hospitals. In this pursuit, they create a competition within the radiology fraternity. Because it is easy to start an enterprise in less entry barriers areas, teleradiology start-up requires even little or no resources, it could be started with single Radiologist. However all is not great.  Increased competition leads to less client commitment as more cheaper options are available to clients. In such a scenario, a Teleradiologist must be ready to learn new tricks that rivet clients and keep one relevant in the trade. It is possible to read the pains of diagnostic facilities apart from reporting. The question comes- what are other critical pains for diagnostic facilities where Teleradiologist can offer advices. 

We talked to Mr Venkat Nakula who is CTO Hexaware Systems that manufactures networking devices and software tools. He says " Much is required to be done in the area of IT infrastructure where every diagnostic facility faces problem, they want to be right and efficient but lacks the budget to do so. IT infrastructure is always a pain point for Diagnostic Facilities where entrepreneurial tele-radiologist can catch cynosure of every eye. 1-2 hours of learning on 'IT infrastructure Preparedness' can give a better hand to smart Tele-radiologists. He must avoid the thinking that he already hired a PACS Company, it is their job to solve any problem. This non-proactive approach does not help but blame game goes on endlessly losing care time. We all know that PACS installation and its maintenance is critical work that needs 24x7 support. In the world of less reliability- when things are not answered in time, whoever helps the client, the client makes good connections with him. It could be you- SMART Teleradiologist."

System Network Tips for  Teleradiologist 

When good gets going, nobody asks for help. But when the problems occur everyone looks out for an escape route. In the case of Teleradiology, if there is blockage in getting (.dcm) images on server or Webpanel, Most people raise a complaint to PACS service Provider and feel escaped. If the provider is not responding in particular time, the blood pressure on every side rises. In such a situation a Teleradiologist has an opportunity to be a superman and  show-off his knowledge with little advice to fulfill that part of smartness.

Advice 1: Check Network IP Configuration You can do so by running command '/ipconfig' on the system where the remote PACS software or plugin or router is installed. Or you can check Ethernet Setting as well. Check if this system is on a private network or public network. Radiologist generally access the system using Anydesk or TeamViewer.

Advice 2: Get NAT configuration Right This system must be connected with Console on a Private network and must have access to the Internet. If so, you must see if ethernet IP is given or it takes up automatically. In either case, you need to prepare or change the NAT configuration so that the data from a private network arriving from one port could be sent to PACS Server via a public network via another port. Once the task is done remotely, you should see the data transfer happening.

If you want to take guidance from fellow Radiologists who have proven their skills and at times wear HAT of Network Engineers, please do so by writing a comment or your problem here. This will help them to know in a short time. All the best !