At the Association of Academic Radiologists' 2024 annual meeting, a cross-disciplinary think tank brought together leaders from academic radiology and industry to discuss some of the most urgent unmet needs in imaging, and how to address them through collaboration. A recent paper summarizing the discussion reads like a wish list for imaging IT: tools that boost workflow efficiency, enable remote collaboration, and improve communication with both peers and patients.1
Rekha Ranganathan, Chief Digital Officer for Imaging at GE HealthCare, participated in the event. “The challenges facing radiologists today are well understood,” she noted. “This think tank created space to imagine what’s possible when we bring the right stakeholders together.”
One theme echoed throughout: radiologist efficiency. With increasing imaging volumes radiologists have to be enabled to maximize time on high-value work like image interpretation.
The good news? GE HealthCare’s VerisoundTM, a portfolio of connectivity, collaboration, and AI-powered solutions for ultrasound, is already delivering on several of the industry’s top priorities. Here are three clinical needs radiologists describe as unmet that Verisound is addressing today.
1.) Ultrasound workflow AI
The think tank summary emphasized that radiologists want AI to assist with tasks that support their work, allowing them to maximize time focused on interpretation. Specifically, they emphasized the value of AI for ultrasound that automatically pull measurements from prior studies and generate draft reports, freeing up time for interpretation and decision-making.
Verisound delivers: Verisound AI Solutions are helping to curb radiologist burnout and boreout, and create more time for more complex tasks. AI algorithms in ultrasound can identify key anatomical structures and pathologies, and provide precise, reproducible measurements of size, shape, and other characteristics. These AI-generated measurements can be directly integrated into the report, minimizing manual entry and reducing error risk. And it’s not just AI doing the heavy lifting. ViewPoint 6, a cutting-edge ultrasound reporting solution, automates data flow into the dictation system to simplify documentation and avoid transcription headaches.
2.) Virtual ultrasound
A major topic of discussion was the need to expand access to advanced radiology services nationwide. Think tank participants emphasized that much of the U.S. population lives far from large academic medical centers where specialized services are concentrated. Improving telemedicine capabilities—such as enabling follow-up appointments with interventional radiologists and, potentially in the future, diagnostic radiologists—was cited as an unmet need.
“There was strong interest in being able to meet patients where they are,” said Ranganathan. “Everyone recognizes that smaller and rural hospitals are struggling to recruit and retain staff, and often can’t offer the subspecialty services their patients need.”
Verisound delivers: Digital Expert Connect* is a tele-ultrasound solution that enables radiologists to guide sonographers, support maternal-fetal medicine teams, or offer real-time assistance with ultrasound system usage during live exams - whether the exam is taking place down the hall or across the country. Features such as instant messaging, audio and video capabilities, real-time screensharing, and live annotation tools help remove geographic boundaries to specialized ultrasound care.
3.) Direct patient connection, from anywhere
As radiology becomes more patient-centered, the need for tools that support direct communication with patients is growing. The think tank cited research showing that when radiologists communicate directly with patients, it can improve understanding and lead to higher-quality reports.
Verisound delivers: Digital Expert Connect* also enables secure, remote conversations between radiologists and patients during live ultrasound exams. It’s a modern, frictionless way to bring empathy and clarity into the clinical workflow. RadNet, the largest provider of outpatient diagnostic imaging services in the United States, has cited the value of direct patient-to-radiologists communication during second and third trimester ultrasound exams.
Imaging IT: Ultrasound is leading the way in innovation
The think tank highlighted critical gaps in today’s imaging IT landscape. What may come as a surprise is how many of those gaps are already being addressed in ultrasound. With Verisound, the future isn’t something radiologists have to wait for. It’s already here, and it’s making a difference today.
“Ultrasound is showing what’s possible when digital innovation is focused and purposeful,” said Ranganathan. “We’re building tools that don’t just add features, they add value by giving radiologists more time, more insight, and more connection to both colleagues and patients.”
Learn more about:
Verisound Digital and AI Ultrasound Solutions
REFERENCES
- 1. Kara Gaetke-Udager, Christoper Hess, Mary Mahoney, Jeffrey G. Jarvik, Pablo R. Ros, “The 2024 Association of Academic Radiologists and Industry Think Tank: Unmet Clinical Needs and Collaborative Resourcing,” Academic Radiology. Published online March 31, 2025.
Verisound and ViewPoint are trademarks of GE HealthCare.
Product and features may not be available in all countries and regions. Full product technical specification is available upon request. Contact a GE HealthCare representative for more information.
*Digital Expert Connect is not for diagnostic use.
©2025 GE HealthCare. GE is a trademark of General Electric Company used under trademark license.
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