[Radiology today is no longer what it once was].

Abstract

Todays radiology is totally different from that 10-15 years ago. Consequences appear for radiologists, but no less for clinicians, health officials and financing. The radiologist gives advice to the clinician on the selection of investigation and technique and the demonstration of the results. For this he needs clinical information. Todays radiology should be organized as an centralized service. Splitting into fields or disciplines is inefficient. Financial bodies must recognize the high costs also for maintainance. The only way for cost reduction is central installation and multi-shift employment. Financing must provide the money for manpower and materials. The reduction of unnecessary radiologic investigations can be achieved by radiologists only with the help of economists. Modern diagnostic radiology has a central role in the health services. The pretentiousness of clinicians, the effectiveness of the administration and economy can be seen in their relation to diagnostics as a whole and especially diagnostic radiology. Clinicians and hospitals will have the diagnostic radiology that they deserve by their own efforts (material, organizational) for modern medical imaging.