Radiologendagen 2025, held May 22–23 at the 1931 Congrescentrum in ’s-Hertogenbosch, brought together radiologists from across the Netherlands to explore new frontiers in medical imaging. This year’s theme, “Imaging in Balance: Care for the Professional and the Planet,” focused on both environmental and workforce sustainability.
Against the backdrop of staffing shortages — highlighted by the recent EU-REST study, which showed that the Netherlands has far fewer radiologists than the European average — AI stood out as a promising solution to support a more sustainable workforce. Throughout the event, leading hospitals, including OLVG in Amsterdam, shared real-world evidence of how AI is already helping to ease pressure on clinical teams, improve collaboration with other clinicians and create a more sustainable workforce.
One of the most insightful sessions of the conference was the lunch symposium hosted by OLVG titled “A.I. als praktische problemsolver en connector voor de acute radiologie”, presented by Dr. Annet Driessen-Waaijer and Dr. Carolien Toxopeus.
Faced with an overwhelming imaging workload, the OLVG team implemented AI out of necessity. What followed wasn’t just improved efficiency, but a cultural shift across the hospital. The speakers described AI as both a “problem solver” and a “connector” — a tool that enhanced clinical outcomes while strengthening collaboration between the Radiology Department and clinicians across other departments.
One powerful example shared by the team involved using AI to improve patient flow in their overstretched Emergency Department (ED). As the volume of head CT scans rose, OLVG introduced AI to automatically flag suspected intracranial haemorrhages. These alerts were sent simultaneously to both the Radiology and ED teams.
The result was faster decision-making and care delivery, improved cross-departmental collaboration and more efficient use of radiologists’ time. ED physicians felt more empowered to make decisions, while radiologists could focus their expertise on the more complex cases. The initiative not only boosted physician efficiency but also reinforced teamwork and reduced burnout — showcasing how AI, when thoughtfully integrated, can be a driver for enhanced clinician well-being.
OLVG’s commitment to clinical excellence continued with two compelling scientific abstracts, both further highlighting the real-world impact of AI on patient outcomes and workforce resilience.
In recognition of this pioneering work, OLVG received an award for the cervical spine trauma study — a well-earned acknowledgment of their leadership in safely and effectively deploying AI in acute care settings.
Radiologendagen 2025 made it clear that AI in radiology is no longer experimental — it’s a practical, scalable tool for building a more sustainable future. As hospitals face growing demands, limited resources and increasing burnout, AI is emerging not just as a clinical asset but as a strategic necessity.
As demonstrated by OLVG, thoughtful implementation of AI can reduce workload, strengthen cross-team collaboration and improve patient outcomes. In doing so, it helps build Radiology Departments that are not only more efficient but also more resilient — better equipped to care for both professionals and patients alike.
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