As 2025 winds down, radiology leaders are feeling that familiar year-end crunch: high imaging volumes, short-staffed teams, and systems that don’t always play nice together. But this time, the pressure comes with a big opportunity.
Heading into 2026, the groups that will win aren’t the ones working harder. They’re the ones asking smarter questions and setting themselves up to move faster with less friction.
Here Are Five to Start With:
1. How much time are we losing to tech headaches
Multiple logins, slow load times, and tools that don’t talk to each other sound familiar? Those daily annoyances add up fast — and for many radiologists, as much as 20% of the workday is spent navigating disconnected systems and workflows.
If your tech stack feels like more work than it’s worth, it’s time to rethink what integration really means. Your systems should speed things up, not slow your team down.
2. Are we getting the most out of every radiologist?
Hiring is tough, and it’s not getting easier. That means the smartest groups are focused on doing more with the talent they already have.
Smarter worklists and automated case routing can help radiologists stay focused on what they do best — high-quality reads and clinical decisions — not managing workflow clutter. In fact, AI-assisted worklists have been shown to cut turnaround times by up to 30%
Efficiency isn’t just about speed. It’s about freeing up time for meaningful, high-value work.
3. Are we ready for rising imaging demand in 2026?
Imaging demand keeps climbing as populations age, screening guidelines expand, and patients expect faster results. The global imaging market is projected to grow 6–8% annually through 2026.
Scaling up isn’t just about adding people. It’s about making sure your systems can handle more volume without creating bottlenecks or burnout. If your current tools strain under today’s workload, now’s the moment to make sure your tech can grow with you.
4. Do our systems make teamwork easier or harder?
Between remote reading, multi-site groups, and referring partners, collaboration is everything. But too often, outdated systems make it harder than it should be.
A recent industry survey found that nearly three-quarters of radiology leaders cite interoperability as their top IT challenge. A connected imaging ecosystem should make sharing studies, communicating findings, and keeping everyone in the loop effortless — fast, secure, and frustration-free.
5. What does momentum look like for us next year?
The strongest radiology groups aren’t waiting for stability; they’re building it. Momentum for 2026 looks like fewer logins, faster reads, less burnout, and more confidence in your team’s ability to deliver high-quality results at scale.
According to the Radiology Business Journal, groups that modernize their imaging workflows see around 25% improvement in report turnaround times — along with higher staff satisfaction. The right tech doesn’t just fix today’s headaches. It fuels tomorrow’s growth.
Make 2026 the year of efficiency, not exhaustion
Radiology leaders have been managing pressure for years. But the opportunity now is to do more than manage — it’s to transform.
By asking the right questions today, you can move into 2026 with smoother workflows, happier teams, and systems that keep your group moving forward without compromise.
See how OnePACS helps radiology groups simplify workflows and build momentum heading into 2026.
