Value of interventional radiology and their contributions to modern medical systems

Abstract

Interventional radiology (IR) is a unique specialty that incorporates a diverse set of skills ranging from imaging, procedures, consultation, and patient management. Understanding how IR generates value to the healthcare system is important to review from various perspectives. IR specialists need to understand how to meet demands from various stakeholders to expand their practice improving patient care. Thus, this review discusses the domains of value contributed to medical systems and outlines the parameters of success. IR benefits five distinct parties: patients, practitioners, payers, employers, and innovators. Value to patients and providers is delivered through a wide set of diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. Payers and hospital systems financially benefit from the reduced cost in medical management secondary to fast patient recovery, outpatient procedures, fewer complications, and the prestige of offering diverse expertise for complex patients. Lastly, IR is a field of rapid innovation implementing new procedural technology and techniques. Overall, IR must actively advocate for further growth and influence in the medical field as their value continues to expand in multiple domains. Despite being a nascent specialty, IR has become indispensable to modern medical practice.

Keywords: IR; IR payment models; comparative analysis; interventional radiology; practice growth; scope of practice review; successful practices; value.

Figure 1

Overview of IR procedures. IR uses minimally invasive techniques to target pathology in every organ system. Each system highlights common and important interventions performed by IR. Targeting methodology commonly utilizes vascular access, and the prominent tools are highlighted in the cardiovascular system schematic. Both arterial and venous embolization, angioplasties, thrombectomy/thrombolysis, and venous sampling are integral to the IR toolkit.

Figure 2

Expanding the value of IR. Figure outlines the various dimensions IR physicians and practices should address to grow the influence and importance of IR in the medical system. Approaches range from maximizing your visibility, to general societal and cultural branding. These dedicated foci require active participation to be successful and drive more patient flow through IR to benefit from IR innovation.

Figure 3

Model of IR physician recruitment and retainment. Each domain addresses an essential element in growing an IR practice that can operate successfully in the modern healthcare system. These elements begin with clear communication (expectations), followed by individual needs (compensation, incentives, career opportunity), followed by sociocultural desires (support, lifestyle, messaging, environment). Teams must periodically re-address these domains to accommodate change. Efforts in these areas ensure the team can focus on their collective mission of helping patients.