Supporting the happiness of radiologists in the pursuit of medical excellence

In the late 20th century, the small Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan pioneered the idea of Gross National Happiness, a philosophy that true progress is not measured by economic growth alone, but by the wellbeing of its people.

Head of Emergency Radiology at Unilabs’ Telemedicine Clinic in Spain, MD, PhD, Fausto Labruto, believes this wisdom holds an important lesson for healthcare too, particularly in radiology, and has published a research article — ‘the radiology of happiness’— in the European Journal of Radiology to explore the idea. 

Beyond productivity metrics

Radiology has long emphasised productivity, speed, and cost efficiency as indicators of success. While these are important factors, it’s equally vital to recognise that a radiologist’s wellbeing plays a key role in supporting high-quality performance. Fausto argues that happiness is not a ‘soft’ metric, rather it shapes attention, engagement, and resilience. “Radiologists who feel fulfilled and supported are well-positioned to sustain accuracy and focus, more capable of handling complex cases, and better equipped to contribute to patient safety.”

The pressures of modern radiology

Radiologists today are navigating a challenging landscape. Rising workloads and long hours can take their toll, and in some cases, challenge overall resilience. Fausto believes that resolving these issues requires structural change: ensuring staffing levels are balanced, workflows are designed for efficiency, and new tools like AI are integrated thoughtfully so that they simplify, rather than complicate, workloads.

Freeing radiologists to focus on what matters most

Unilabs is actively using technology to free its radiologists to focus more fully on patient care. By partnering with AI medical imaging software company, Oxipit, for example, it is rolling out advanced chest X-ray solutions (ChestLink and ChestEye) across its European network. These tools streamline triage and provide second readings, allowing radiologists to concentrate on urgent or complex cases where their expertise is most needed. 

The Unilabs AI Centre of Excellence is also driving impactful solutions in other areas, for example, deploying lumbar spine MRI interpretation tools in Spain that automatically highlight alterations and generate measurements. In Sweden, Unilabs is working with Subtle Medical’s SubtleMR to reduce MRI scan times without compromising image quality, boosting efficiency and easing scanner bottlenecks. Together, these initiatives help to manage a major source of stress in radiology by easing workload pressures and optimising workflows.

Investing in education and growth

Beyond technology, Unilabs recognises that radiologists thrive when they have opportunities to learn and grow. Through the Unilabs Academy, radiologists can access CME-accredited training, fellowships, e-learning resources, and even a radiology simulator built on real anonymised cases. The simulator recreates the intensity of a reading room while offering constructive feedback, helping professionals to sharpen their skills in a safe, supportive environment. By fostering continuous learning, mentorship, and professional mastery, Unilabs provides more than training; it creates a culture where radiologists feel supported, connected, and empowered.
Unilabs also ensures radiologists can take pride and confidence in their work through rigorous quality measures and cutting-edge equipment. In Sweden, a partnership with Collective Minds Radiology enables annual external clinical audits, covering image quality, reporting, and referrals with fully anonymised data. This process not only safeguards patient care but also fosters continuous improvement. Across Europe, investments in state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment further enhance speed, accuracy, and efficiency, creating an environment where radiologists can dedicate their energy to delivering the best possible care to patients.