Could Our Obsession with Dose Be Risking Lives?

In this follow-up episode of Frame by Frame, host Chris St John reconnects with Dr. Ehsan Samei, a renowned medical physicist, to delve into how we truly measure the value of medical imaging. Moving beyond the conversation of dose alone, Dr. Samei shares how imaging quality and diagnostic effectiveness must be evaluated through multiple lenses—from resolution to task-specific metrics. This conversation breaks down why image quality is not one-size-fits-all and how the medical community is working toward standardization that benefits both patients and clinicians. Whether you're a radiologist, technologist, or healthcare decision-maker, this episode provides a deeper understanding of how we quantify imaging’s clinical impact.

In this illuminating episode of Frame by Frame, host Chris St John continues his in-depth conversation with Dr. Ehsan Samei to explore how we define and measure quality in medical imaging. Dr. Samei emphasizes that radiation dose, while important, tells only part of the story. Instead, quality should be viewed through a multi-dimensional lens that includes task-based performance, image clarity, contrast, and diagnostic relevance.

Drawing on examples like breast and lung cancer screening, Dr. Samei shows how imaging can improve outcomes when guided by validated metrics and clinical collaboration. He also highlights the challenges of creating standardized measurements that can be applied across institutions, stressing the importance of stakeholder involvement—from physicists to clinicians and regulatory bodies.

Whether you're navigating imaging guidelines, optimizing protocols, or advocating for patient-centered care, this episode delivers the tools to help you rethink what makes imaging truly valuable.

Chapters:

[00:00] Intro: Understanding Medical Imaging Benefits

[01:49] Measurands vs Measurements: The Science of Quantification

[07:15] Beyond Radiation Dose: Why Single Metrics Can Mislead

[12:30] Validating Quality Measurements in Radiology

[19:24] The Importance of Personalized Imaging Approaches

[22:47] Task-Based Performance in Medical Imaging

[29:05] Designing Studies to Prove Imaging's Value

[32:53] The Real Impact: Mammography Success Story

[36:24] Closing Thoughts: Balancing Benefits and Risks