A Day in the Life of Modern Radiology: How Today’s Radiologists Blend Expertise, Care, and Innovation
Radiologists may not often be at the bedside, but their influence touches nearly every diagnosis. Their schedules are demanding, their responsibilities continuous, and their profession is increasingly shaped by advancements in modern technology.
To understand what this work truly looks like today, we spoke with Dr. Ainsley MacLean, a practicing radiologist and Founding Partner of the Ainsley Advisory Group, who has spent her career at the intersection of clinical care and healthcare innovation.
When describing the heart of the specialty, Dr. MacLean spoke about its most defining element: radiology’s role as a consultant within the care continuum.
“I have always loved radiology because we play the role of consultants to many different stakeholders: the patients, referring physicians, residents and trainees, and large multidisciplinary groups.”
That consulting role stretches beyond interpreting a single imaging study per patient. Radiologists review clinical histories, correlate findings with prior exams, and consider how new findings fit within a patient’s overall health narrative. They guide the next steps for the care team and help everyone understand the significance of imaging results. This crucial role, largely unseen by patients, anchors vital decisions in modern medicine.
The Invisible Consultant at the Fulcrum of Care
Dr. MacLean emphasized how deeply radiologists feel a sense of responsibility, noting that each study is approached with care and a great commitment to doing what’s best for the patient, something that continues to make each day a rewarding one.
“Although we often work behind the scenes, radiologists are deeply committed to our roles. We impact hundreds of patients each week, sometimes only for moments, but the decisions we make lead to truly fulfilling days.”
The work is demanding. Radiologists must decipher what’s abnormal and what’s “normal for this patient.” They must determine what reflects old surgery, what needs follow-up, and what presents no clinical concern. They do this quickly, moving from study to study throughout each shift. Their clarity helps care teams move forward with greater confidence.
Technology That Transformed a Profession
Radiology has long embraced innovation, but recent years have transformed the field at an unprecedented pace.
Dr. MacLean reflects on this evolution. She shares, “Technology has added so many positives to our profession.” These range from the move beyond film to today’s multimodality imaging, cloud platforms, and AI-powered tools. Now, interpreting studies from virtually anywhere is almost instantaneous.
However, that speed and accessibility come at a cognitive cost. The sheer volume and complexity of modern imaging can be mentally exhausting.
“It can be tiring to look at so many images and make so many diagnoses. When technologies like Rad AI take away some of that cognitive load and are individualized to our own styles, it can make a big difference,” Dr. MacLean said.
Where the public often misinterprets the role of AI, radiologists see its reality up close. Many assume that AI currently reads entire imaging studies autonomously, but that is not the case. AI tools perform only specific, well-defined tasks in radiology.
As Dr. MacLean clarifies, “There is a perception that AI is reading all the studies we interpret for us. In reality, interpretation is done using our own eyes, experience, and training. Some AI helps by alerting us to urgent cases, interpreting acute strokes, or finding breast cancer.”
Currently, the most trusted and clinically adopted radiology AI solutions can flag suspected urgent cases, help identify specific conditions, such as stroke or breast cancer, and support radiologists in reducing mental fatigue.
The craft is still deeply human. Radiologists make the final calls with clinical nuance in a way no algorithm can replicate.
A Specialty Built on Resilience, Innovation, and Lifelong Learning
Radiology is often portrayed as solitary work, but the culture tells a different story. The specialty thrives on active collaboration and continuous learning; colleagues ask questions, share insights, and refine cases together, even on the busiest days.
“Resilience is a key trait of our profession as well as a sense of teamwork and camaraderie. Even when we are covering busy shifts, we are often on with other radiologists who we ask questions of, and this creates a specialty environment of continuous learning that allows our profession to thrive,” said Dr. MacLean.
It’s a profession defined not by fear of new technology, but by its embrace of it. Radiologists were among the earliest adopters, critics, and contributors to healthcare AI research.
Dr. MacLean’s pride in the radiology community is unmistakable: “Radiologists are leading the way when it comes to the development of AI tools. I’m proud to come from a profession that leads the way in AI publications, particularly when we were the first group of professionals many AI experts pointed to for extinction.”
After recently earning a Fellowship from the American College of Radiology, Dr. MacLean shared what this achievement meant to her in a larger context.
“It reminded me of the strength of our community and our collective dedication to excellence, as well as how long-lasting and fulfilling a career in radiology can be,” said Dr. MacLean.
As radiology evolves alongside rapid technological advances, it is the radiologists’ judgment, insight, and empathy that transform complex images into meaningful answers for patients and care teams. Even in a digital age, the essential role of human expertise remains at the heart of healthcare.
To explore how radiologists’ daily experience shapes the future of AI in healthcare, read CMIO Dr. Rishi Seth’s perspective on why frontline clinicians are essential to meaningful innovation.
