That’s a wrap for the first half of 2023. Below are the top stories in radiology for the past 6 months, as well as some tips on what to look for in the second half of the year.
- ChatGPT Takes Over Radiology – Our first mention of ChatGPT came in December 2022, but it was in the first half of 2023 that the generative AI algorithm really began to spread its wings in medical imaging. Researchers began finding new use cases for ChatGPT, GPT-4 passed the radiology board exam, and ChatGPT even contributed to a review article on itself. But rumblings of disaffection have been simmering, both about whether ChatGPT will measure up to the hype and about the overall impact of AI on society if its growth continues unfettered. H2 of 2023 will likely see radiology find more creative ways to leverage the model’s potential.
- Radiology Bounces Back – After several crushing years in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the first half brought welcome news to radiology on several fronts. The 2023 Match wrapped up with diagnostic radiology on top as the most popular medical specialty for medical students over the past 3 years. Radiology was one of the highest-compensated specialties in surveys from Medscape and Doximity, and even vendors got into the act, reporting higher revenue and earnings as supply chain delays cleared up. Will the momentum continue in the second half?
- Burnout Looms Large – Even as salaries grow, healthcare is grappling with increased physician burnout. Realization is growing that burnout is a systemic problem – tied to rising healthcare volumes – that defies self-care solutions. Congressional legislation would boost residency slots 5% a year for 7 years, but is even this enough? Alternatively, could IT tools like AI help offload medicine’s more mundane tasks and alleviate workloads? Both questions will be debated in the back half of 2023.
- Mammography Makes News – On the clinical side, breast imaging made headlines in the first half, led by the USPSTF’s decision to lower its recommended starting age for mammography screening to 40. DBT was also a hot topic, especially in studies pointing to the technology’s growing role as a tool for screening. The FDA even released its long-awaited policy setting a national standard for breast density reporting.
- In-Person Shows Are Back – The pandemic took a wrecking ball to the trade show calendar, but things began to return to normal in the first half of 2023. Both ECR and HIMSS held meetings that saw respectable attendance, following up on a successful RSNA 2022. By the time SIIM 2023 rolled around in early June, the pandemic was a distant memory as radiology focused on the value of being together.
The Takeaway
As the second half of 2023 begins, all eyes will be on ChatGPT and whether a technology that’s mostly a curious novelty now can evolve into a useful clinical tool in the future.
