For our third FredTalk, we had the pleasure of speaking with Steve McKinney, the Director of Technology at Essential Radiology. Steve’s extensive experience and knowledge of radiology technology have played a critical role in driving Essential’s mission to deliver seamless interactions that improve patient outcomes and clinical workflows. In this blog, Steve shares his thoughts on the latest trends in radiology technology, his vision for the future of the industry, and how Essential Radiology is pioneering positive change. Join us as we delve into this illuminating conversation with one of the most innovative minds in the radiology field:
Tell us about your role on the team at Essential.
As the Director of Technology, I focus on new client integrations and ensuring our business systems are in place. Since each integration is unique, I have to become intimately familiar with how every system operates, while also advising clients on the suite of products we’re supporting, roadmapping, and virtually anything that comes up related to technology. Internally, I work with vendors like Microsoft and Barracuda to make sure our office productivity systems are optimized, and help onboard new radiologists and staff from an IT perspective.
What drew you to Essential?
The leadership group and the mission really drew me to Essential. I was impressed with the strong cohesion and alignment I saw across the team, especially the shared vision for making huge improvements in the radiology industry. I also found that the appetite for harnessing the learning that naturally comes from the daily work with customers and translating that into thought leadership was unique. This is a big change from what I’m used to in the industry, and it’s a very attractive quality about the Essential brand.
What systemic shortcomings/constraints are you addressing?
I think one of the systemic issues specific to the use of teleradiology is a persistent and narrow view that problems are a result of capacity or products. At Essential, we partner with radiology groups at hospitals in entirely new ways, so we aren’t just another name on the list of overnight teleradiology providers. We focus on understanding a client’s needs by asking deeper questions and changing the conversation upfront. This allows us to understand their pain points and provide creative solutions tailored to meet their specific needs.
We also believe that radiology groups and departments within hospitals and health systems must have a symbiotic relationship with their technology teams. Our approach involves working with IT teams and ensuring that our joint project has a seat at the table from the outset, so we can help put a shared purpose into place. We are definitely using a mix of traditional project management skills and tools when it comes to integrations, but we’re also trying to bring every team together so that we can make mutual decisions up front. Our goal is to be the facilitator of conversations to help our clients achieve their goals, and we recognize that as a vendor, we can play a crucial role in making that happen.
What are some of the unique challenges associated with integrating new technologies, and how do you overcome them?
The biggest challenges associated with integrating new technologies are understanding each new ecosystem we step into, their technology stacks and how all the parts relate. It goes back to my previous comment about bridging the gap between IT and operations, which can be challenging. It’s essential to understand the interoperability of onsite systems, including where reports go back to the facility and what other systems the report is touching. The solution to these challenges is active listening and employing past experience. It’s important to interrupt the pattern and offer new solutions, rather than simply presenting a standard document and expecting compliance.
Conversations are the key to overcoming these challenges, and it’s crucial to address red flags early on. The process must be flexible enough to identify issues and have the hard conversations around them to find a solution. We try to achieve this at Essential through discovery and kickoff calls, identifying potential issues and addressing them proactively. It’s important to be direct, not shy away from sensitive areas, and be prepared to deal with issues early, rather than waiting until the last minute. By being flexible enough in the process to understand red flags, identify them early and have the hard conversations around them is essential to our clients’ success.
How does Essential approach integration and onboarding differently than other radiology companies? What impact do you expect Essential to have on the field of teleradiology based on those different approaches?
Essential takes a unique approach to integration and onboarding that is rooted in deep management and operational experience. One of the first priorities at Essential was to develop a comprehensive, proprietary go-live handbook that serves as a roadmap for everyone involved in the project – the radiology group, hospitals and health systems, and the Essential teams. Our process is very prescriptive, and we set milestones to track progress and ensure the project stays on schedule and in scope. We keep everyone informed of any missed dates or deviations from the critical path to ensure we are on track to meet our launch date.
As project manager, I believe in going beyond simply running the project to building relationships with all stakeholders. I aim to understand their motivations and constraints so that everyone is on the same page throughout the entire process. One thing we really value is flexibility, and we work to understand the workflow of the client organization so that we can pair our own workflow with theirs in the most automated way possible. We strive to present options to the group and work collaboratively to make decisions that are appropriate for whatever given scenario we’re in. And in the end, we can deliver a smoother integration process and improved efficiency for the client.
How do you see the role of technology evolving in the field of teleradiology within the next 5-10 years? What are some of the emerging technologies that you’re most excited about utilizing in the future?
Looking ahead to the next 5-10 years, the role of technology in medical fields is likely to take two paths: cybersecurity and automation. Cybersecurity is becoming a growing concern for the industry as a whole, as the threats become more widespread and common. Automation, on the other hand, is becoming increasingly important for productivity. As more technologies are developed and purchased by hospitals and radiology practices, the goal is to increase productivity through automation. The fewer radiologists have to click around different systems, the more studies can be completed and the longer their eyes can be on a study.
At Essential, we recognize the importance of automation and aim to create a singular platform for radiologists, removing the need to switch between different systems. The use of AI and machine learning tools is also becoming more prevalent in the radiology space, and while there may be some initial concerns about AI replacing radiologists, it’s important to recognize that AI can be used as a productivity tool, rather than a replacement. For example, AI tools can help cut down on clicks, construct reports more efficiently, or identify specific findings in a report. AI can also help with lung nodule measurements, stroke identification, and triaging of cases.
What have you learned about the Essential culture that resonates with your personal values and professional aims?
Essential’s culture values integrity and transparency, which is something that resonates with me both personally and professionally. Here, ideas are not shut down and everyone has a role in addressing questions and crafting solutions. And as we continue to grow, we’re committed to fostering an empowering environment where everyone can adapt and have a voice in decision-making, which means so much to me because I believe that creativity should not be constrained, and that oftentimes the best options are outside the box.
From a professional standpoint, Essential offers incredible flexibility and education. In the past year, I have gained more professional experience than in the previous five or six years of my career. While the culture of excellence comes with its stresses, it also comes with the invitation to stretch my wings and try new things. Knowing that Essential supports me while I’m venturing into new professional territory is an awesome feeling.