Veterans Day Reflections: Radiology’s Strategic Mission in a Changing World

Anand Singh, MD; Mohammad Naeem, MD, FACR; and John R. Dryden, MD, contributed this piece.

On November 11, 1919, the United States and many Allied countries celebrated Veterans Day for the first time. Originally known as Armistice Day in recognition of the First World War’s end of hostilities, the holiday has evolved into a day honoring all American veterans. 

The world has certainly changed in the interim, but it also bears many striking resemblances to 100 years ago: rapid globalization, a recent world-wide pandemic, and protracted conflicts with devastating consequences to both combatants and civilians alike. The nature of warfare has evolved from large scale conflicts in World War II to recent regional combat theaters in Asia and the Middle East. Future battlefields may not only engage in Large Scale Combat Operations (LSCO) against near peer adversaries, but also involve a range of “grey zone” incursions, such as cyberwarfare, attacks on infrastructure, and other measures aimed to antagonize forces without meeting traditional criteria for hostile actions. These types of scenarios could affect healthcare by disrupting technology and workflows. 

In addition to these challenges, the world stands on the precipice of the age of artificial intelligence (AI). This includes AI-driven warfare, drones, AI-powered ballistic missiles, and the informatization of warfare. AI tools are also currently used in radiology to aid in image assisted detection, workflow efficiency, and dictation generation. Given the dual impact of AI on both warfare and healthcare, it is important that radiology not only adapts but also leads. Bridging military and civilian efforts in AI development offers a pathway to resilience and relevance in preparation for the battlefield of tomorrow. 

As the technological leader in medicine, radiology will play a key role in this shifting global geostrategic landscape. Both military and civilian radiology practices must continue to develop rapidly. Attention must be given to data security and interoperability including protection of sensitive medical data and secure transmission of imaging data via remote systems. Conducting strategic readiness could involve mapping for critical radiology dependencies (e.g.- contrast media) and safeguarding against future cyber threats. AI-integrated imaging devices at the point of contact (POC) designed for austere environments could significantly enhance the speed and accuracy of battlefield diagnoses. Radiologists themselves should transform to become responsible stewards of tactical medical knowledge and AI enabled imaging capabilities. Engaging now with these initiatives will ensure radiology stands ready for the coming decades. 

As William Faulkner wrote, “The past is never dead. It’s not even past.” So this Veterans Day, let us take a moment to not only thank our veterans, but also reflect upon the past in order to prepare for the future of Radiology.

The opinions and assertions expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences or the Department of War.