Digital Twin in Radiology: Transforming Imaging Operations with Robert MacDougall

Description

In this episode of Imaging Informatics Unplugged, Jason sits down with Robert MacDougall to unpack one of the most talked-about — and often misunderstood — concepts in healthcare: the digital twin.🎯 What exactly is a digital twin in the context of radiology?💡 How can it be used to optimize imaging operations, increase access, improve patient satisfaction, and boost revenue?📊 Why are semantic interoperability and a unified data layer critical for success?Robert shares insights into building a digital twin of the radiology department — modelling scanner usage, staffing, scheduling, quality, and operational efficiency using DICOM, HL7, and proprietary semantic layers.We also discuss:• The real-world barriers to digital twin adoption in radiology• How AI and agentic automation are starting to reshape radiology ops• The evolution from dashboards to dynamic, intervention-driven systems• Governance and trust in AI-powered recommendations• Why the future of radiology needs smarter, interoperable infrastructure📌 Whether you’re a PACS admin, imaging department lead, healthcare CIO, or just digital health curious — this episode is full of practical insights on the future of imaging operations.