“I read dental x-rays and provide my clients with a diagnostic report. Skype has changed my business practices. Traditionally a patient visits a Dental Radiologist Laboratory; the Technologist completes the x-rays and informs the patient and dentist that the results will be available in 24 hours.
Now, the technologist scans the x-ray and places the image file in a folder on the desktop. I use a VNC remote desktop program to retrieve these image files from all of my clients throughout the day.
I read the film and use Skype to call in a diagnostic report which is recorded by my client.
Yes I save about 30 percent on my telephone bill, but that is trivial compared to the 20 to 30 percent savings in professional time I save myself and the x-ray technologists. After all saving 10 cents a minute for a phone call will only save me $6 per hour, but saving 2 hours per day in professional times saves me $120.

Cycle time to get the diagnosis into the hands of my clients (and patient) is reduced by 30 percent. Most diagnoses are now completed on the same day, not the next day. Everybody benefits: the patient, the technologist and the Dentist.

My approach also eliminated transcription costs and time.

Many technologies converged to make all this possible, but the pivotal technology was Skype. Extreme voice quality and zero acquisition cost made it easy for me to get the Radiology Laboratories I work with on board.

The real savings are in my professional labor, not my telco expenses.”

While this solution may not apply in every country, it describes some trends that are well worth thinking through. Both VNC and Skype were free. There was little cost to install this solution and saves everyone money and time. Presence sharing between colleagues and controlled file sharing meant diagnoses were delivered quicker. The future will likely bring transcription services (could be automated) that will enhance the records when delivered.

For Jorge, he may just have found the solution to working and living anywhere. Lucky man.

Dr. Jorge Bianchi can be reached on Skype at: radiolgiaradix

RADIX RADIOLOGIAODONTOMAXILO FACIAL
Dr Jorge Bianchi Geisse. MMSc
Harvard School of Dental Medicine