Andover, Mass.-based Commonwealth Radiology Associates is teaming with Heywood Healthcare, an independent, community-owned hospital group, to deliver imaging services. 

The platform was designed to address some of the “brutal challenges” radiologists have faced over the past couple of decades.

Consulting firm Vizient is forecasting continued growth in the specialty, driven by shifts in where patients receive care, new therapies that require imaging and a rapidly aging population. 

This new guidance emphasizes that clinical and operational decisions must “remain in the ultimate control” of radiologists or other clinicians, the AMA said Monday.  

A total of 10 professional associations—also representing pain medicine, anesthesia and rehab specialists—recently messaged more than a dozen payers across the U.S. 

The uptick came during a time when the number of ED episodes increased by only 8% at the same institution, with defensive medicine one possible driver. 

Compared to other healthcare workers, technologists may have a more positive outlook of their career trajectories and how outside forces may affect them.

Education and other initiatives helped cut the rate of radiologist recommendations for additional imaging by 44% compared to a control site.