The future of imaging, part II. IT leaders discuss the need to create "meta-level" software as imaging management moves outside radiology.

Initial attempts to create enterprise-wide imaging management may at first create more workflow problems for clinicians, before processes can become better streamlined. CIOs expect the path towards creating greater usability of images enterprise-wide to be long and complex. In particular, they see a need to create a 'meta-layer' of software to make it possible for end-users--especially physicians--to optimally access, use, and share images. A major issue centers around the role of 'PACS administrators.' As organizations move towards true enterprise-wide imaging management, imaging management professionals will need to broaden the concept of what they do.