What is a Teleradiologist? Explained Difference between Intra or extra Teleradiologist.

Over the last decade, Teleradiologist as a practice concept has changed a lot in radiology field. More respect and authority, he or she is gaining on the way with new technology transitioning. From a position of full-time employment and captive working environment, the radiologist is now preferring a flexible and case basis working arrangement transitioning himself from Intra Teleradiologist to Extra Teleradiologist.

Teleradiologist Types

Earlier, Teleradiology process was conceptualized as practice into radiology space reporting MRI or CT Images at a distant from console but within same premises. In first phase of teleradiology, the organizational practice made radiologist work as an employee or a medical staff member, necessarily associated with the organization that acquires the images and cares for the patient.

However, over the period of time the definition of teleradiology practices let this employee control loose over the radiologist. In the second phase, the technological infrastructural relationship between the radiologist and diagnostic facility began to profiler over the years like SaaS based relationships or clouds and PACS instance relationships. Extra organizational teleradiology practice started taking shape. It gives new dimension to teleradiology including AI (Artificial Attributes to productive) that offered faster interpretation of MRI or CT images. This support is given by radiologist irrespective of organizations. Hence the radiologist can report 100s of cases belonging to different diagnostic facilities.

Teleradiologist Opportunity:  Telereporting and Second Opinion

Both setups, the teleradiologists have undergone considerable growth, and because of their prevalence, both may be considered central to the practice of diagnostic radiology in globe. Within the scope of these definitions, like junior radiologist opting to practice as part-time teleradiologists for many set-ups, a highly experience radiologists are preferring the flexibility. They are holding positions in telereporting review Panels (https://www.teleradiologyhub.com/teleradiology) or subspeciality second opinion Panel (https://www.teleradiologyhub.com/second-opinion)

The flexibility and the level of experience coupled together helps the radiology ecosystem in multifold and produces the best results for the patients.

How many Teleradiologists in USA and Europe?

Extra organisational Teleradiology use has expanded considerably in the past 2 decades. For example teleradiology services were used by 15% of U.S. radiology practices in 2003 and by 44% in 2007 . In addition, some reports indicate that up to 60% of U.S. hospitals now outsource coverage for after-hours diagnostic imaging. As many as 75% of large practices were already using teleradiology. European Society of Radiology did a survey in 2016 that reported 74% of European radiologists engage in intra orgnisational teleradiology whereas 71% engage in extra organisational teleradiology. A 2019 survey of ACR members showed that 84% performed teleradiology for internal examinations and 46% for external examinations. The available evidence suggests that many radiology groups and hospitals engage in some manner of teleradiology. (Source: Emerging Challenges and Opportunities in the Evolution of TeleradiologyTarek N. Hanna¹, Scott D. Steenburg², Andrew B. Rosenkrantz³, Robert S. Pyat)