Legislating Change: How Dr. Amy Patel is Shaping the Future of Breast Imaging

02/20/25 • 30 min

In this episode of Frame by Frame: Rethink Imaging, host Chris St. John welcomes Dr. Amy Patel, Associate Professor of Radiology at the University of Missouri Kansas City and Medical Director of the Breast Care Center at Liberty Hospital. They discuss Dr. Patel’s journey from rural healthcare aspirations to becoming a leader in breast imaging advocacy, highlighting key legislative achievements in Missouri that expanded mammography access. The conversation explores innovative programs addressing healthcare disparities, challenges in advocating for federal legislation, and the crucial role of coalition building and digital platforms in mobilizing public support. Through powerful patient success stories, the episode underscores how dedicated advocacy can transform breast cancer care access and outcomes.
This discussion offers valuable insights for healthcare professionals and policymakers, emphasizing the impact of legislative advocacy on healthcare access. Dr. Patel’s work exemplifies how medical professionals can drive systemic change while maintaining a personal connection to patient care. A passionate advocate for women's health, she has spearheaded major legislative efforts in Missouri to improve access to mammography services.
Her journey from a small rural town to becoming a key voice in breast imaging advocacy showcases her dedication to addressing healthcare disparities. As president of the Missouri Radiological Society and an affiliate member of the University of Kansas Cancer Center, she continues to shape health policy and expand public education through digital platforms.
Chapters:

[00:00] Intro: Meet Dr. Amy Patel[01:31] From Rural to Imaging[03:58] Building Healthcare Advocacy[06:09] Legislative Wins in Missouri[09:25] Breaking Barriers in Access[13:53] Engaging with Legislators[16:19] High-Risk Breast Cancer Awareness[19:31] Path to Federal Legislation[23:30] Digital Advocacy for Change[25:19] Future Reforms & Coverage Gaps[27:35] Patient Impact & AdvocacyFrame by Frame: Rethink Imaging Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

Previous Episode

Addressing Burnout and Enhancing Radiologist Health with Elizabeth Krupinski

In part 2 of this episode of Frame by Frame: Rethink Imaging, host Chris St John welcomes Dr. Elizabeth Krupinski, a pioneering expert in the psychology of medical imaging and a professor at Emory University School of Medicine. With a pioneering focus on the psychology of medical imaging. Dr. Krupinski has dedicated her research to understanding the cognitive load and stress that radiologists face, particularly in relation to burnout. In this episode, she shares her insights on the psychological factors contributing to radiologist burnout and discusses the implications for both individual performance and patient care. Notably, she emphasizes the need for systemic changes within healthcare to better support radiologists and improve their work environment. Dr. Krupinski's expertise is crucial to the podcast's exploration of burnout in healthcare, as she provides actionable strategies for mitigating its effects and fostering a healthier workplace culture.
Together, they delve into the pressing issue of radiologist burnout, exploring its psychological underpinnings and the factors contributing to this significant challenge in healthcare. Dr. Krupinski shares her insights on the overwhelming volume of images radiologists must process, which has increased dramatically with advancements in imaging technology. This surge in workload, coupled with the complexity of cases, creates a high cognitive load that can lead to burnout.
Chapters:

[00:00] Intro[00:02:30] The Burden of Image Volume[00:10:06] Understanding Burnout Beyond Fatigue[00:20:17] The Cultural Shift Needed in Healthcare[00:29:03] Recognizing Warning Signs of Burnout[00:32:38] Empowering the Next Generation of Radiologists[00:34:07] The Role of AI in Alleviating WorkloadFrame by Frame: Rethink Imaging Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

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CMS Measures Explained: What Radiology Leaders Need to Know

In this episode of Frame by Frame, host Chris St. John sits down with Olav Christianson, VP of Clinical Strategy at Imologix, to demystify the upcoming mandatory reporting measures for CT radiation dose and image quality. Learn about translation software requirements, implementation strategies, and how to prepare your practice for 2027 compliance. Whether you're a radiology administrator, medical physicist, or healthcare IT professional, this episode provides clear guidance on meeting CMS standards while optimizing patient care. Discover why starting early could give your facility a competitive advantage in reimbursement and quality measures.Olav Christianson is the Vice President of Clinical Strategy at Imologix, bringing over a decade of experience in medical physics and clinical consulting to the field of radiation dose monitoring and image quality analysis. With a Master's degree in Medical Physics from Duke University, he authored foundational papers on radiation dose tracking and automated noise assessment that have been cited by CMS in their measure specifications.
As one of the early contributors to radiation dose monitoring, Christianson previously led a practice collaborating with over 300 hospitals across the US to optimize radiation protocols and improve patient safety.
Chapters:

[00:00] Intro: Meet Olav Christianson[02:06] From Astrophysics to Medical Physics: A Personal Journey[05:34] Understanding the New CMS Electronic Clinical Quality Measure (eCQM)[09:36] Breaking Down the Three Required Data Elements[15:18] Mandatory Reporting: Timeline and Preparation for 2027[19:39] Translation Software Options and Implementation Strategies[26:16] Choosing the Right Software Solution: Long-term Considerations[29:10] The Role of Dose Monitoring Software in Quality Improvement[32:26] The Future of Radiology: Beyond Image Noise Measurement[34:00] Key Takeaways and Future Industry ImpactFrame by Frame: Rethink Imaging Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so