Over 80 Imaging Physicians Gather as Guangdong Well Hospital United Doctors Group and Microsoft China Empower Radiologist Entrepreneurship

On October 14, 2017, the Third Guangdong Physician Group Management Forum Series was successfully held at the Microsoft China Guangzhou Conference Hall. Guided by the Guangdong Provincial Health and Family Planning Commission, and co-hosted by Guangdong Will Hospital United Physician Group and Microsoft China, the forum centered on the theme “How Cloud Computing Empowers Radiologists to Shape the Future of Imaging?” It provided a dedicated platform for over 80 radiologists from tertiary Grade A hospitals and primary care institutions across Guangdong Province to engage in an exchange focused on the integration of medicine and technology.

On-site of the 3rd Guangdong Provincial Doctors Group Management Series Forum

Mr. Zhao Zuhong, Director of the Primary Care Guidance Division of the Guangdong Provincial Health and Family Planning Commission, was invited to deliver the opening address at the forum. In his speech on “Supporting the Development of Primary Healthcare Service Systems,” Director Zhao outlined the current status and needs of primary healthcare system construction in Guangdong Province. He also expressed strong expectations for how new technologies, such as cloud computing, can facilitate the development of primary healthcare, enhance diagnostic and treatment capabilities at the grassroots level, and strengthen effective interaction among medical institutions at all levels.

Zhang Xiangsong, Director of the Department of Nuclear Medicine at The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, delivered a presentation titled “How to Become a Super Imaging Physician?” He posited that “standardized medical training, artificial intelligence (cloud computing + big data), novel molecular imaging probes, and other emerging imaging technologies” are key components in becoming a super imaging physician. Additionally, he provided a detailed explanation of the “Seven Key Points for Quality Control in Medical Imaging Reports.”

Lin Zihong, CEO of the Guangdong Will Hospital United Physician Group, delivered an insightful presentation titled “How to Help Radiologists Achieve Their Dream of Freelance Practice?” He highlighted that by leveraging artificial intelligence, upgrading imaging technology across multiple dimensions, and integrating diverse imaging resources, the group provides collaborating radiologists with a steady stream of cases for interpretation and co-establishes a management platform for third-party imaging centers. Radiologists can join the United Physician Incubator as partners, enabling them to start practicing with minimal setup (“plug-and-play”), enjoy flexible scheduling, and thereby achieve substantial financial rewards.

Lin Zihong's Presentation Slide

Liu Zaiyi, Deputy Director of the Department of Radiological Diagnosis at Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, has once again sparked widespread discussion among radiologists on the topic: “How to Plan and Build Third-Party Imaging Centers Effectively?” Dr. Liu provided an in-depth exposition on the positioning, construction principles, standards, departmental setup requirements, equipment specifications, staffing requirements, system infrastructure, imaging diagnostic databases, and quality control of third-party imaging centers. He further pointed out that in the era of precision medicine and artificial intelligence, imaging centers present both new opportunities and challenges for the future.

Ma Zhiwen, Healthcare Solution Architect at Microsoft China, showcased Microsoft’s advanced technologies in the healthcare sector, demonstrating how a single suite of intelligent service APIs can equip medical applications with capabilities in computer vision, natural language processing, and cognitive reasoning. He noted that Microsoft’s healthcare solutions have evolved from an initial phase characterized by “digitalization, heaviness, and rigor,” through an intermediate stage of “digitization, presence, and ease of use,” to a current paradigm defined by “intelligence, engagement, and reliance.”

Jiang Jiang, a partner at United Doctors Group, offered an interpretation of cloud PACS systems in the new era—PACS is no longer an isolated system but urgently requires “remixing,” emphasizing that the tools of a “remix strategy” can infuse PACS systems with greater vitality.

The forum concluded with a roundtable discussion themed “How Can Radiologists Easily Join In and Realize Their Value?”, facilitating face-to-face interaction between the guests and attending physicians.

Following the forum, attendees and radiologists spoke highly of the event and expressed their gratitude to Guangdong Well Hospital’s Joint Physician Group and Microsoft China for providing a platform for intellectual exchange to support radiologists’ entrepreneurial endeavors.