The Role of Radiology Professionals in Improving Diagnostic Accuracy

Abstract

Diagnostic accuracy in modern healthcare depends heavily on the competence, judgment, and organizational support of radiology professionals — radiologists, radiologic technologists, and imaging specialists — who acquire, interpret, and communicate imaging findings. This paper examines the role of radiology professionals in improving diagnostic accuracy, situating the discussion within Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 healthcare transformation agenda. Drawing on Donabedian's structure-process-outcome model and the diagnostic error taxonomy developed in patient safety research, the paper introduces an original conceptual model, CLEAR, which organizes five professional and organizational levers — Competency and Credentialing, Lean Protocol Standardization, Evidence-Based Reporting, AI-Assisted Interpretation, and Rigorous Peer Review and Audit — that radiology departments can use to strengthen diagnostic accuracy. The paper reviews the professional functions of image acquisition and protocol optimization, radiologic interpretation and structured reporting, quality assurance and peer review, interdisciplinary collaboration, integration of artificial intelligence and advanced imaging technology, continuing professional development, radiation safety and dose management, and health information system integration through PACS and RIS platforms. These functions are connected to Saudi regulatory and institutional bodies including the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS), the Central Board for Accreditation of Healthcare Institutions (CBAHI), the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA), the National Platform for Health Information Exchange Services (Nphies), the Mumaris+ licensing system, and the King Abdullah International Medical Research Center (KAIMRC). Persistent challenges, including workforce shortages, diagnostic error risk, and technology integration costs, are discussed alongside evidence-based recommendations for radiology departments, administrators, and policymakers.