Why Diagnostic Accuracy Is Personal
When people ask me what keeps me up at night as a radiologist and as the CEO of The Radiology Group, the answer is simple: diagnostic errors. These aren’t just statistical missteps on paper—they’re real, human moments where something was missed, delayed, or misinterpreted. And in radiology, that can mean the difference between early intervention and a missed opportunity.
It’s a responsibility I’ve carried with me from the very beginning—through training at Einstein, through my musculoskeletal fellowship at Wake Forest, and now in the leadership seat, where I see the broader system. The truth is, radiology plays a central role in nearly every major diagnosis, from stroke to cancer to trauma. That means we don’t have the luxury of complacency. Precision isn’t a bonus—it’s the baseline.
The Pressure of Getting It Right
Every day, radiologists are expected to interpret dozens, sometimes hundreds, of studies with speed and accuracy. Each study brings a new set of clinical questions, imaging protocols, and patient histories. But the pressure to move fast, meet turnaround expectations, and maintain quality creates a real challenge.
Even the most skilled radiologists are human, and humans are not perfect. Fatigue, distraction, and information overload are all real issues in our world. Diagnostic errors can range from perceptual misses—where something is visible but not seen—to interpretation mistakes, where a finding is seen but not fully understood in context.
That’s why it’s critical for practices like ours to build systems that reduce the chances of these errors happening. And I’m not talking about just technology. I’m talking about team design, workflows, education, and culture.
Subspecialization Matters
One of the biggest shifts we made at The Radiology Group was committing to subspecialization across the board. This means that musculoskeletal studies are read by MSK radiologists, neuroimaging by neuroradiologists, and so on.
Why does this matter? Because the more familiar you are with the subtleties of a particular body system, the better you are at catching the small things—and the faster you can interpret what those findings mean in a clinical context. A spine MRI read by a generalist might pick up a disc bulge. But a spine MRI read by a subspecialist might identify subtle red flags pointing to a tumor or infection.
Subspecialization improves accuracy, plain and simple. And when you pair that with ongoing education and quality review programs, it creates an environment where people are constantly learning and improving.
Creating Smart, Supportive Workflows
Speed can’t come at the cost of safety. That’s why we spend a lot of time designing workflows that give radiologists the support they need to do their best work.
It starts with information. When a radiologist sits down to read a study, they need clinical context. That means getting relevant history, labs, and prior imaging easily and consistently. Without context, we’re working in the dark—and that’s where mistakes happen.
We also structure our shifts to prioritize rest and focus. Reading studies when you’re overly fatigued or overloaded isn’t just inefficient—it’s dangerous. By organizing our teams thoughtfully and giving people the space to think, we see fewer errors and more meaningful work.
Embracing a Culture of Peer Learning
In our group, we’ve built a culture where peer review isn’t about “catching” someone—it’s about learning together. When a discrepancy is found between what one radiologist reads and what another would have reported, it becomes a teaching moment.
We don’t sweep those moments under the rug. We talk about them, we learn from them, and we use them to build stronger habits. It’s not about being perfect. It’s about being honest and open so that we all get better.
This transparency takes trust, and trust takes time. But once it’s in place, the result is a team that’s not just accountable—but truly collaborative.
Listening to Referring Physicians
Another big piece of this puzzle is communication. A radiology report isn’t the end of the line—it’s part of a conversation. When we write our reports clearly, thoughtfully, and with actionable recommendations, we reduce the chances of misinterpretation or delay.
We also make it easy for referring doctors to reach out. If there’s a question or a concern, we’re available. Radiologists are often treated like they’re behind a curtain—but I believe the best outcomes happen when we break down those walls and work directly with the rest of the care team.
The Human Side of Precision
At the end of the day, every image belongs to a person. That’s something I’ve never forgotten, even after years in this field. Behind every CT scan, every X-ray, every MRI, there’s a patient waiting for clarity. They’re waiting to know what’s next. They’re trusting us to see what needs to be seen.
That trust is sacred. And reducing diagnostic errors isn’t just about protecting that trust—it’s about honoring it.
There’s no magic fix for diagnostic errors. It’s a problem that requires humility, diligence, and constant refinement. But it’s also a problem we can actively address—by building strong teams, designing better systems, and committing to open communication.
As radiologists, we may not always be the ones delivering the final diagnosis in person. But our work shapes the entire path of a patient’s care. That’s a privilege. And it’s one I take very seriously.