Decision support for radiology is designed to benefit the radiologists, hospitals and the healthcare system in several ways - by improving patient outcomes, decreasing healthcare costs and urging providers to take part in pay-for-performance (P4P) initiatives. However, decision support has not been readily embraced without some resistance.

Despite the current decline triggered by the Deficit Reduction Act (DRA), the U.S. medical imaging market is expected to recover by 2010. In 2008, the medical imaging market was valued at over $9.2 billion, growing at an associated CAGR of 4.2 percent by 2015.

X-ray mammography is considered the “gold standard” for breast cancer screening in the breast imaging equipment market. The procedure is generally seen as the most effective option for women needing a diagnosis of any abnormalities in the breasts.

Healthcare IT professionals from many countries are looking to the U.S. for examples on how to best deploy and implement imaging informatics technology. In addition, they want the professionals who administer and manage these critical systems in their countries to be highly qualified.

With the election of a new president and Congress, not to mention a tumultuous economy, medical imaging, just like many other medical sectors, faces uncertain times going in to 2009.