Advertise on podcast: Contrast and Clarity with the JACR

We are training more radiologists than ever, so why does it feel like we are constantly falling further behind? In this two-part episode of Contrast & Clarity, Ajay Malhotra MD FACR joins Maddi to unpack the troubling numbers behind radiology's growing workforce crisis. Then, Anand Singh MD FACR helps tackle the bigger questions: Are we losing radiologists faster than we can replace them? Can AI actually help us catch up? And are we focusing too much on producing more radiologists instead of rethinking how radiology works? From burnout and rising imaging demand to the radiologist of 2035, we look beyond the work list to ask a provocative question: What if the solution to the radiologist shortage isn't simply more radiologists? Find the full JACR article here: https://www.jacr.org/article/S1546-1440(26)00207-3/abstract

October's JACR is serving up some big questions. This month's JACR is packed with provocative questions, surprising findings, and a few uncomfortable truths. Here's a sneak peek: 🤖 AI: Are we measuring accuracy when we should be measuring patient benefit? 💻 Vibe coding: Is AI redefining what it means to be an expert? 🩻 Imaging utilization: Does who reads the scan influence how often scans get ordered? 🎓 Workforce: Are we training enough radiologists for the future? 🔄 Specialization: Can becoming an expert actually limit your career options? ⚖️ Ethics: Are we teaching radiologists how to navigate the decisions that matter most? Join me for the October Contrast & Clarity TLDR, where we skip the academic jargon and get straight to the interesting stuff.

Radiology is consolidating. The question isn't whether it's happening - it's who will control what comes next. Andy Moriarity, MD, MBA and David Rosman, MD, MBA join Maddi to unpack what "getting bigger" actually means for radiologists. From private practice and hospital employment to private equity, declining reimbursement, culture, autonomy, and the growing pressure of AI, we ask whether scale is the problem - or part of the solution. Getting bigger doesn't necessarily mean getting better. But in modern radiology, staying small may be getting a whole lot harder. Find the JACR article here: https://www.jacr.org/article/S1546-1440(25)00403-X/fulltext Claim your *free CME* here: https://cmetracker.net/EVMS/Publisher?page=pubOpen#/getCertificate/33127 Accreditation Information Contributors Andrew K. Moriarity, MD, MBA David Rosman, MD, MBA Madison Wulfeck, MD, MBA Reviewers Madison Wulfeck, MD, MBA Jeffrey Waltz, MD Release Date October 2026 Expiration Date October 2029 Disclosure Statement The planners and contributors have no financialrelationships with ineligible companies to disclose. Accreditation Statement This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACGME) through the joint providership of Macon and Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University and Contrast & Clarity Podcast. Macon and Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians. Credit Designation Macon and Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University designates this enduring material activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM.  Physiciansshould claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. If you have any questions regarding CME, please email [email protected] or call 757-446-6140.

Whole-body MRI promises to find disease before it finds you - but does finding more actually mean living longer or better? Matthew Davenport, MD, MBA, FSABI, FSAR, FACR joins Maddi to revisit the evidence (or lack thereof) behind whole-body MRI screening, from cancer detection and incidental findings to over diagnosis and increased downstream costs. He also addresses the question that matters most: What evidence would actually prove that screening improves health? Because detecting disease is one thing. Proving that detection helps patients is another. Claim your free CME here: https://cmetracker.net/EVMS/Publisher?page=pubOpen#/getCertificate/31903 Find related JACR articles here: https://www.jacr.org/article/S1546-1440(24)00765-8/abstract https://www.jacr.org/article/S1546-1440(24)00764-6/abstract Accreditation Information Contributors Matthew Davenport, MD, MBA Madison Wulfeck, MD, MBA Jeffrey Waltz, MD Reviewers Madison Wulfeck, MD, MBA Jeffrey Waltz, MD Release Date September 2026 Expiration Date September 2029 Disclosure Statement The planners and contributors have no financialrelationships with ineligible companies to disclose.   Accreditation Statement This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of Macon and Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University and Contrast & Clarity Podcast. Macon and Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians. Credit Designation Macon and Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University designates this enduring material activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM.  Physiciansshould claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.   If you have any questions regarding CME, please email [email protected] or call 757-446-6140.

This September JACR may be short and sweet, but it's packed with surprisingly big ideas. This month's TLDR tackles: Where diagnostic errors really happenWhether radiology AI actually pays for itselfWhat a breast biopsy needle shortage can teach us about resilienceHow radiology should prepare for the World Cup and OlympicsPlus: AI disclosure in scientific publishing, smarter radiation dose benchmarking, and a timely look at maternal mental health Plenty to talk about. Take a listen for everything you need to know from the September issue! Find the entire September 2026 JACR issue here: https://www.jacr.org/issue/S1546-1440(26)X2007-5

Report turnaround time is easy to track - and faster certainly feels better. But does a faster report actually mean better patient care? And what happens when speed becomes a benchmark tied to physician performance and payment? In this episode of Contrast & Clarity, Nadja Kadom, MD joins us to discuss her JACR review article examining the evidence (or lack thereof) behind national turnaround-time benchmarks - and why uniform thresholds may overlook differences in case complexity, workflow, practice setting, and the work that can actually increase value. Then, quality and safety expert Anand Singh, MD takes the conversation one step further: turnaround time may be a useful measure of operations and capacity, but is it really a measure of quality and patient safety? Find the full JACR article here: https://www.jacr.org/article/S1546-1440(26)00290-5/fulltext

What happens when radiology simply can't read any faster? For nearly a decade, radiologists managed to absorb rising imaging volumes, increasing complexity, and a growing workforce shortage while keeping turnaround times remarkably stable. We worked harder, read faster, picked up more shifts, and squeezed out the slack that once existed in the system. Then something changed. In this episode, Maddi and Jeff are joined by Eric Christensen, PhD from the Neiman Health Policy Institute to discuss new national data suggesting that radiology may have finally reached maximum capacity. We explore why turnaround times suddenly began to climb, what the surprising differences between practice types and sizes might tell us, whether bigger really means more efficient, and whether AI can actually help the workforce problem - or simply allow the system to demand even more from radiologists. Because this isn't really a story about turnaround times. It's about what happens when an increasingly efficient system finally runs out of room to absorb what comes next - and what radiology does from here. Find the full JACR article here: https://www.jacr.org/article/S1546-1440(26)00148-1/fulltext

The August issue of the JACR is packed with big questions - and in this month's TLDR, we read it so you don't have to. Join Maddi as she breaks down some of the interesting papers and ideas, including: 🤖 AI that transforms images—and what it might accidentally erase 🩻 The growing radiologist workforce shortage 🧠 How AI should change the way we train radiologists 🎯 Smarter cancer screening and patient follow-up 📣 Why young radiologists matter in advocacy ⚖️ Paid family leave, burnout, and building a sustainable workforce 💡 Why achievement and fulfillment aren’t the same thing Plus, practical studies on contrast reduction, MRI safety, financial toxicity, turnaround times, and more. Big ideas. Practical takeaways. Without having to read a 200-page journal. Find the full August 2026 issue here: https://www.jacr.org/issue/S1546-1440(26)X2006-3

Preference signaling was supposed to make the radiology Match smarter: fewer applications, less uncertainty, and a more efficient process for both applicants and programs. But did it actually work? In this episode of Contrast & Clarity, Maddi and Jeff are joined by Christopher Keshishian, MD to unpack new data examining more than 1,300 matched radiology applicants across seven Match cycles. The results are surprising: applicants are submitting more applications, receiving fewer interview offers, and doubling the number of available signals hasn't meaningfully changed behavior. Together, they explore the game theory behind the modern Match, why applicants and programs continue to adapt to one another, whether signaling has become more of a screening tool than a preference tool, and what increasing to 15 signals might mean for the future. Whether you're a medical student preparing for the Match season, a program director navigating an avalanche of applications, or simply interested in how incentives shape behavior, this conversation will challenge the way you think about what preference signals are really signaling. Find the full article here: https://www.jacr.org/article/S1546-1440(25)00745-8/abstract Claim your CME here: https://cmetracker.net/EVMS/Publisher?page=pubOpen#/getCertificate/31902 Accreditation Information Contributors Madison Wulfeck, MD, MBA, CIIP Jeffrey Waltz, MD Christopher Keshishian, MD Reviewers Madison Wulfeck, MD, MBA Release Date August 2026 Expiration Date August 2029 Disclosure Statement The planners and contributors have no financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose.   Accreditation Statement This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACGME) through the joint providership of Macon and Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University and Contrast & Clarity Podcast. Macon and Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.   Credit Designation Macon and Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University designates this enduring material activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM.  Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. If you have any questions regarding CME, please email [email protected] or call757-446-6140.

What do radiology turnaround times, AI-powered software development, MRI helium shortages, and the future of academic radiology all have in common? They are all shaping the future of our specialty - and they are all in this month's JACR issue! This TLDR episode highlights the newest articles that will make you think, challenge your assumptions, and may even change your practice. Skip the stack of journal article and get insights that matter the most - in about the time it takes to finish your commute. Find the entire July JACR issue here: https://www.jacr.org/issue/S1546-1440(26)X2005-1

Think matching into diagnostic radiology is all about Step 2 scores and publications? Think again. Behind every successful applicant is something far less obvious: strategy. The rules have changed: preference signaling, virtual interviews, and application inflation. Every cycle brings a new layer to the game - and many applicants are still playing by last year's rules. In this episode, Maddi and Jeff pull back the curtain on what actually separates applicants who match from those left wondering what went wrong. Using three recent JACR articles, they reveal the hidden incentives and strategic decisions: 🎯Should you apply to 70+ programs? 🎯How should you use Gold and Silver signals? 🎯Is there a point where more interviews stop helping? If you're applying to radiology, this episode isn't just another discussion about the Match. It's your scouting report. Because every applicant has the same goal and not everyone understands the game. Find the JACR articles here: https://www.jacr.org/article/S1546-1440(22)00261-7/fulltext https://www.jacr.org/article/S1546-1440(24)00896-2/abstract https://www.jacr.org/article/S1546-1440(25)00579-4/fulltext

BI-RADS isn't just getting an update -it's setting up a new foundation for the future of breast imaging. The first major BI-RADS update in more than a decade has arrived - and it's much more than a terminology refresh. BI-RADS v2025 reflects how breast imaging has evolved, bringing greater consistency across modalities while supporting a future for more personalized breast cancer screening and care. In this episode, Maddi and Fatima Elahi, DO sit down with Stamatia Destounis, MD, FACR, Chair of the ACR Commission on Breast Imaging, and Georgia Spear, MD, Chair of Government Relations for the ACR Breast Commission, to unpack the biggest changes in BI-RADS v2025, the spirited debates behind the new lexicon, and what these updates mean for radiologists in everyday practice. But the conversation goes far beyond reporting terminology, exploring the shift toward personalized, risk-based screening, the growing role of breast density, and why advocacy efforts like the Find It Early Act may shape the future of breast cancer detection just as much as the imaging itself. Link for claiming CME: (further instructions below) https://cmetracker.net/EVMS/Publisher?page=pubOpen#/getCertificate/31901 Accreditation Information Contributors Madison Wulfeck, MD, MBA, CIIP Fatima Elahi, DO Georgia Spear, MD Stamatia Destounis, MD, FACR, FSBI, FAIUM Reviewers Madison Wulfeck, MD, MBA Fatima Elahi, DO Release Date July 2026 Expiration Date July 2029 Disclosure Statement The planners and contributors have no financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose. Accreditation Statement This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of Macon and Joan Brock Virginia Health Science at Old Dominion University and Contrast & Clarity Podcast. Macon and Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians. Credit Designation Macon and Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University designates this enduring material activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM.  Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. If you have any questions regarding CME, please email ⁠[email protected]⁠ or call 757-446-6140.   Instructions for claiming CME: 1. Click on the link above and then "Sign in to Generate Certificate." 2. To create an account, an email address and password will need to be entered into the respective fields before the system will allow you to proceed. 3. After creating an account and signing in, the "Activity Code" will be prepopulated for you, so just click on the red "Submit" button. 4. A brief survey will pop up for you to complete. Once you have completed the survey, enter the credits you are seeking and click "Submit." Do not hit the back button on your computer. 5. Your certificate will pop up and then you can select the print certificate button. 6. For assistance with any of these steps, please contact the CME office via email [email protected] with screenshots of the specific problem you are facing for the quickest assistance or you may also call the CME office at (757)446-6140.

Healthcare policy doesn't have to be boring - and it definitely isn't when it shapes the future of radiology. In this episode, Maddi and Jeff are joined by Robert Optican, MD, FACR to break down the six legislative and regulatory issues every radiologist should know, from AI reimbursement and Medicare payment reform to the ROOT Act, the No Surprises Act, and the growing wave of AI regulation. Discover how today's policy decisions will influence tomorrow's workflow, compensation, and patient care - and why radiologists can't afford to sit this conversation out. Link for claiming CME: (further instructions below) https://cmetracker.net/EVMS/Publisher?page=pubOpen#/getCertificate/31900 RLI Summit information: https://www.acr.org/Education-and-CME/Radiology-Leadership-Institute/Leadership-Summit Dr. Dana Smetherman's prepared remarks during a House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee meeting on May 20, 2026: https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/americancoldf5f-acrorgf92a-productioncb02-3650/media/ACR/Files/Medicare-Medicaid/Coverage/MACRA-PFS-Reform-Testimony.pdf Accreditation Information Contributors & Reviewers Robert Optican, MD, MHA, FACR Madison Wulfeck, MD, MBA Jeffrey Waltz, MD Release Date June 2026 Expiration Date June 2029 Disclosure Statement The planners and contributors have no financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose. Accreditation Statement This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of Macon and Joan Brock Virginia Health Science at Old Dominion University and Contrast & Clarity Podcast. Macon and Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians. Credit Designation Macon and Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University designates this enduring material activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM.  Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. If you have any questions regarding CME, please email [email protected] or call 757-446-6140.   Instructions for claiming CME: 1. Click on the link above and then "Sign in to Generate Certificate." 2. To create an account, an email address and password will need to be entered into the respective fields before the system will allow you to proceed. 3. After creating an account and signing in, the "Activity Code" will be prepopulated for you, so just click on the red "Submit" button. 4. A brief survey will pop up for you to complete. Once you have completed the survey, enter the credits you are seeking and click "Submit." Do not hit the back button on your computer. 5. Your certificate will pop up and then you can select the print certificate button. 6. For assistance with any of these steps, please contact the CME office via email [email protected] with screenshots of the specific problem you are facing for the quickest assistance or you may also call the CME office at (757)446-6140.

June TLDR: What actually matters this month? Welcome back to TLDR (Too Long Didn't Read) - the monthly series from Contrast & Clarity where we break down the entire monthly JACR issue into the insights that actually matter. This month's episode includes: AI that helps (and where it falls short) in lung and breast cancer screeningPatient preference of lay-friendly report summariesVenture capital in radiologyWorkforce and turnover trendsMuch more!This month's JACR is packed with insights that go far beyond the reading room. Take a listen to separate the signal from the noise, highlight the studies most likely to impact your practice, and explore what these findings mean for patients, radiologists, and the future of healthcare. Find the entire June JACR issue here: https://www.jacr.org/issue/S1546-1440(26)X2004-X

What if one of the most valuable skills in medicine is being able to say the simple two-letter word: no? For many radiologists, saying no can feel harder than taking overnight call, joining another committee, or agreeing to "just one more project." Somewhere along the way, medicine has turned being busy into a badge of honor - and many of us have become experts at overcommitting ourselves. In this episode, Maddi and Jeff discuss the JACR article "Dr. No: The Art of Saying No and Feeling Good About it" with the authors Alex Podlaski MD, Kirang Patel MD, and Yasha Gupta MD. Together, they explore why early-career physicians are especially vulnerable to "yes syndrome," the hidden tradeoffs of chronic overcommitment, and how strategic decision-making may be one of the most important leadership skills in medicine. Whether you're juggling committees, research projects, leadership roles, or simply trying to protect time for your family and yourself, this conversation offers practical insight on building a career that reflects your priorities - not everyone else's. Find the full JACR article here: https://www.jacr.org/article/S1546-1440(26)00038-4/abstract