Analysis: RSNA 2022: Predictions vs Reality

Much has already been written about attendance at RSNA, but from a first-hand perspective, RSNA 2022 could be regarded as a step back toward “normal”. Amongst mostly bustling halls, vendors reported very positive feedback on the volume and quality of customer meetings, with one prominent global imaging vendor citing “We’re signing deals here at the show again – things are looking up”. 

Against this positive backdrop, however, the stark challenges facing radiology in a post-COVID world were very evident. These boil down to three substantial issues: 

– A global shortage of radiologists, technicians, and imaging service-line personnel  

– Increasing demand for imaging services, especially outside of the hospital 

– Inefficient and siloed informatics systems   

While RSNA provided a hint of the cutting-edge future of radiology, in reality, new advanced imaging modality and informatics products exclusive to the 2022 show were relatively thin on the ground.  

The “heady” days of extravagant modality and IT launches may therefore have run their course – above all, and perhaps rightly, reflecting the current tide of economic stressors facing healthcare providers, RSNA was wholly concerned with frugality in 2022.  

Trimmed down vendor booths, a greater focus on efficiency and cost-of-ownership across new product releases were evidently woven amongst the biggest booths. The AI zone had also featured a “refreshed” AI exhibitor group, featuring a mix of increasingly established and assured market front-runners, a myriad of new platforms, plus a few expectant fresh logos hoping to capitalize where others had already failed. Positively, post-COVID market forces had also been at work, shedding previously conspicuous exhibitors (well at least in the case of DeepRadiology) and asking more searching questions about the clinical and economic validity of market participants. Combined, this all pointed to the commercial radiology sector getting a little more “real” about the challenges ahead.    

To be frank, this was not a great surprise, given the sentiment and feedback we have received from the many research discussions conducted prior to the show in 2022.

As all good analysts should tell you, predictions are valuable, but even more so when retrospectively assessed for validity; below, we, therefore, assess how the realities of RSNA 2022 shaped up against our predictions.     

Modality Predictions  

Prediction 1: RSNA 2022 will be a subdued show for major modality vendors  

Correct: Overall, new product announcements were scarce, and for those that were released, many were targeted at filling gaps in portfolios/addressing particular customer segments, as opposed to portfolio-shaping new platforms. This was unsurprising given the COVID-19 distraction and disruption to the innovation cycle, with many vendor discussions pointing to more “disruptive” product releases on the near horizon – the hype for RSNA 2023 is already building.   

Prediction 2: Vendors’ exhibitions will focus on clinical workflows  

Partly Correct: While this was evident on some booths (most notably Canon’s novel booth layout) broadly most vendors have done little to move away from presenting products “in category” e.g., by modality type; while this makes for easy visibility and being directed around the largest booths, the apparently limited focus on care pathways and specific clinical workflows will have disappointed some customers. Moreover, as integrated, multidisciplinary care pathways are increasingly adopted, the industry will need to more acutely demonstrate the lynchpin role of imaging within wider diagnostics and therapy. This is, in part, also down to the slowly changing evolution of business models – until commercial contracting models are more complementary to how care is delivered, and providers are convinced of the value of moving to more progressive models of financing equipment purchasing (managed services, outcome-based risk sharing) this is unlikely to change quickly.      

Prediction 3: Vendors will be keen to highlight total cost of ownership and sustainability  

Correct: For modalities, this was particularly evident across new launches and existing products; from the ongoing “helium-free” debate in MRI, the use of edge AI to reduce the need for contrast agents, smart subscriptions, the potential role of “extremity” imaging leveraging lower-cost imaging devices, to more tangible focus on leveraging remote diagnostics, smarter fleet management service contracts and remote acquisition services. Doing more with the same or less shone through as the leading trend of the show. While this reflects the current focus of the customer base facing a tough period ahead, it was also clear that vendors still have some way to go in ensuring the “solution” offering they promise will deliver substantial long-term cost savings. While many touted substantial savings within bullish marketing, more customer-led and independent long-term evidence is required to fully convince buyers that these savings are realistic.      

Prediction 4: Vendors will be focused on advanced imaging systems  

Partly Correct: broadly the leading imaging modality vendors doubled down on “big iron” as their leading lights at RSNA 2022 yet given the influence of COVID-19 on innovation cycles and the fact many have record order books yet to be delivered for CT and MR, there was understandably fewer headliner grabbers in advanced modalities. What was apparent from vendor discussions, however, was the incoming tide of new CT platforms featuring photon-counting technology in the next two years, spectral CT in the near term, and the increasingly important role AI will play in image reconstruction. Combined, these trends will resonate throughout the rest of the decade for big iron modalities, forming a new era equivalent, but more subtle, to the CT “slice wars” period decades before. It should not be overlooked, however, that innovation was also apparent at lower-price tiers; new mobile X-ray systems, C-arms, ultrasound and even some new modalities (see 4DMedical) were all on show. Ultrasound was the most underserved modality at the show – given its expansion into tens of new clinical applications across the care continuum, the radiology-centric nature of RSNA has led to some dedicated point-of-care vendors and clinical specialists opting to spend their marketing budget at more targeted shows.      

Prediction 5: There will be an emphasis on digitization 

Partly Correct: while undertones of digital trended throughout the imaging modality showcase, as highlighted in prediction 3, many of the software offerings on show were disjointed or still nascent in their availability. Across the categories of pre-acquisition operations, acquisition (and virtual acquisition support), post-acquisition operations and fleet management, new and novel digital technology have received substantial focus and R&D investment, a positive development to support imaging service providers in solving their biggest challenges. However, the integration of these tools and interfacing them into wider imaging informatics and health IT platforms have some way to go, a potential hindrance for adoption. Reassuringly, the growing focus on the use of AI and advanced analytics to support predictive demand forecasting tools and smart scheduling of scans should also be applauded. Given that this technology will not be hamstrung by regulatory barriers, this operational application offers far more tangible benefits to healthcare providers short-term in comparison to some of the venture-funded AI image analysis tools attempting to come to market.        

Imaging IT and AI  

Prediction 1: A busy show for imaging IT and AI vendors  

Partly Correct: at face value, many vendors in AI and imaging IT reported satisfaction with the quantity and quality of engagements with customers and prospects. However, reading between the lines, the growing centralization of decision-making for imaging IT in larger acute hospital networks towards CIOs and CMIOs, both personas which were absent amongst the attendees, is having an impact on the importance of RSNA as a deal-making opportunity. Instead, imaging IT vendors are seeing the most value in keeping existing customers informed on new product developments, while also receiving valuable feedback from front-line users (radiologists) on their recent innovations.  

For AI vendors, “busyness” is a poisoned chalice at RSNA; while many are dependent on RSNA as a showcase for brand-building and greater visibility, a more educated and cynical attendee audience is asking ever-increasingly probing questions on the clinical and economic value of their products. This is no bad thing for a still nascent market sector that has for too long failed to address well the real challenges of integration and commercial viability – with external funding drying up and becoming more selective post-COVID, it will soon be all too evident which vendors have products that will meet the increasingly pressing needs of imaging service providers today, and those that will need drastic strategic change or cease to exist near-term.  

Prediction 2: Efficiency and optimization will be key  

Correct: Similarly, to the theme amongst imaging modality vendors, efficiency and optimization was prominent theme amongst the imaging informatics announcements. Echoing the sentiment of imaging modality prediction 5 above, more frustrating for some users was the apparent disjointed nature of service line provision of these tools from pre- to post-acquisitions. This will come in time, but also perhaps reflects the slow interoperability programs of leading modality vendors that are leading in this segment. Dedicated imaging IT platforms were more progressive around radiologist workflow tools, with new generations of case-load balancing, user-friendly interfaces supporting radiologists managing workloads (and avoiding burn-out) and further progress on viewer and reporting interface consolidation. The same sentiment is echoed across AI, where integrated triage tools continue to gain traction and are becoming better interfaced with reporting workflow and care pathways. Reporting tools also took a further step towards more robust structured reporting, though in practice there appears to be a long road ahead for widespread adoption, despite the obvious future benefits for patient quality and care.    

Prediction 3: Platforms, platforms, platforms  

Correct: specifically targeted to AI, this prediction was a continued theme from previous shows, with vendors from a range of PACS, AV, AI, modality, reporting and workflow all tussling to demonstrate their prowess in AI integration. RSNA 2022 was no different, with a plethora of new and re-booted AI platforms on show and a growing list of partnerships for more mature platforms. In theory, user “choice” is commonly seen as a positive for customers, yet perhaps the inverse is the case in medical imaging AI; too much choice is leading to market inertia and confusion, at a time when imaging service providers have limited resources to assess varied approaches.   

While a clear and standardized route to AI access remains unclear, image analysis tools specifically will be influenced by some wider common market “truths”: the power of imaging IT (e.g. PACS) incumbency in customer road-mapping should not be underestimated; customers really do want tightly integrated AI tools (.pdf results outputs help no-one); the presence of big technology AI service offerings for imaging at the show (Google, Amazon, Microsoft, NVIDIA) is going to promote more self-development of AI by providers, requiring a more flexible platform integration strategy; reimbursable AI image analysis tools remain the primary draw for customers. Viewing the explosion of platforms for AI through this lens suggests many of the newly launched platforms will be short-lived. Moreover, with market forces driving impending consolidation of AI algorithm developers’ mid-term, convincing potential customers to look beyond their existing PACS-based platform or one of a few established leading independent platform vendors will be a hard sell.         

Prediction 4: The consolidation of data  

Wrong: Surprisingly with many AI vendors facing impending funding challenges and many providers tackling resource and operational challenges, discussions surrounding the potential value of imaging data were scarce at RSNA 2022. While VNA 2.0 has been touted for some time (and discussed at length in our research) the practical realities of data consolidation have remained subdued. There was progress on show for imaging IT vendors working on common data consolidation challenges across DICOM-based applications, but wider data ingestion and management of unstructured and interfacing with EMR-based clinical data was nascent. The slow progress of structured reporting is in part to blame, yet fundamentally, many of the new integrated care models and demands for more personal, predictive medicine are doomed to fail without more focus on robust data management technology and breaking down data siloes within healthcare networks. 

In context, this is also a missed opportunity for vendors and providers alike; while still nascent, the growing value of well-structured diagnostic imaging data within the pre-clinical arena is obvious, with cash-rich pharma vendors post-COVID well underway with massive investment in research digitalization and overhaul of drug discovery and clinical trial processes. Providers, not looking beyond near-term operational challenges, have either been blind to this opportunity or looking to capitalize on the “goldmine” of data they hold but are unable to execute on commoditizing the value they hold. For imaging IT vendors, this is a significant, yet undervalued opportunity. At its simplest, robust data management platforms are a good starting point to embed deeper with a customer organization in supporting future data commoditization. The savvier should already be exploring the provision of research-grade “sandbox” toolsets to support data aggregation, cleaning, and de-identification; the bravest will also take this a step further, brokering data deals between providers and pre-clinical consumers.            

Prediction 5: AI beyond radiology  

Mostly Correct: Despite some AI vendors still hanging on to the premise that AI-based image analysis tools offering small iterative improvements in radiology reading efficiency and quality are enough to convince providers to pay substantial sums per scan for use, most of the market has realised AI’s biggest potential value mid-term is probably “downstream”. This view has been buoyed further by substantial reimbursement announced in the US for triage tools in stroke care and the success of vendors such as HeartFlow and Cleerly in cardiac care.   

However, measuring downstream “value” in care pathways is fraught with challenges, as pathways are often complex, and health providers are notoriously poor at measuring economic value, let alone clinical value. Reassuringly, leading vendors in the market are investing heavily in producing real-world clinical evidence to support the case for AI (and to help move payers toward reimbursement); this will also gain greater traction as the inevitable market consolidation drives more comprehensive care or body area solution availability (as smaller AI vendors partner up to remain competitive).  

More disappointingly, the downstream value of AI as a predictive indicator for future disease or care intervention was more subdued at the show, or at least subtler behind the mass of platform announcements and focus on basic results integration from many exhibitors and leading imaging IT vendor platforms. This focus on use of incidental findings in screening or non-emergency imaging again seems obvious if the less well-trodden path for AI, given the potential benefits for payers, providers, and patients. While this may only be a temporary impact given many AI vendors have their backs against the wall financially and the road to commercial viability for population health-based AI-analysis tools is a more challenging route, this may have been an opportunity for some to stand out from the crowd at the show this year.         

About Steve Holloway 

Steve Holloway is the Director at Signify Research, an independent supplier of market intelligence and consultancy to the global healthcare technology industry. Steve has 9 years of experience in healthcare technology market intelligence, having served as Senior Analyst at InMedica (part of IMS Research) and Associate Director for IHS Inc.’s Healthcare Technology practice. Steve’s areas of expertise include healthcare IT and medical Imaging.

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