Breast Radiologists: Extenders of Primary Care.

Abstract

The health care industry has seen many changes in recent years. Gradually, the traditional volume-based fee-for-service health care system is being replaced by the patient-centered, value-based, pay-for-performance model. In response to this, the American College of Radiology has developed an initiative coined Imaging 3.0: a blueprint to help guide our profession through this transition in health care delivery. Radiologists are an integral part of the health care system, and they greatly affect patient care; however, we have progressively become less visible as a specialty. It is time that we, as radiologists, broaden our role in patient care. As breast radiologists, we are uniquely qualified to usher in this new era of medicine. We have the skill set to provide comprehensive breast care. We are actively involved in early breast cancer detection, pre-imaging patient-care decisions, imaging work-ups, diagnosis, care coordination, treatment, and follow-up. We have set the gold standard for concise structured reporting and follow-up recommendations with the American College of Radiology Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System lexicon, which offers value to our clinician colleagues. Our broad knowledge and role in breast conditions, patient relationships, and other noninterpretive skills offers personalized care and expertise that allows for the best, safest, most cost-effective, and efficient service for the patient and health care industry. Our comprehensive care provides direct interaction and education, decreases radiation exposure, and saves patients time and money. It also benefits the health care industry by improving throughput, reducing waste, and eliminating inefficiencies in the system. As breast radiologists, we are uniquely qualified to usher in this new era of radiology.