Radiology Journal

Journal Title: Radiology Publisher: Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) Impact Factor (2023): ~30 Focus: Diagnostic and interventional radiology, imaging science, AI, imaging biomarkers Audience: Radiologists, imaging scientists, medical physicists, clinicians, health policy experts

• ✅ Strengths:
  • Exceptional editorial standards, robust peer review, and statistical oversight.
  • Methodological transparency with frequent use of reporting guidelines (CONSORT, STARD, PRISMA).
  • External statistical reviews, especially for AI/quantitative studies.

• ❌ Weaknesses:
  • Tendency toward “impact factor inflation” and multicenter glamour over practical applicability.
  • Prioritization of high-tech imaging over clinically grounded investigations.

• ✅ Highlights:
  • Influential studies on imaging guidelines, disease stratification, and emerging technologies.
  • Solid coverage of COVID-19, oncology, and stroke imaging.

• ❌ Limitations:
  • Many studies are retrospective, industry-funded, or from elite centers—limiting real-world translation.
  • Sparse analysis of cost-effectiveness, radiation burden, or long-term outcomes.

• ✅ Positive Aspects:
  • Leadership in AI publication and validation.
  • Promotes reproducibility via data/code sharing.

• ❌ Concerns:
  • Lack of true external validation in many AI articles.
  • Dataset bias, overfitting, and clinical integration gaps often underreported.

• ✅ Progress:
  • Hybrid open access model available.
  • Some global consortia represented.

• ❌ Issues:
  • High publication fees restrict accessibility.
  • Editorial board and authorship remain Western-dominated.
  • Underrepresentation of patient-centered and equity-driven research.

• ✅ Advances:
  • Cutting-edge work in radiogenomics, hybrid modalities, perfusion imaging.

• ❌ Pitfalls:
  • Risk of technophilia: shiny methods with minimal discussion of healthcare integration.

• ✅ Practices:
  • Transparent COI disclosures.

• ❌ Problems:
  • Industry sponsorship frequent.
  • Blurred lines between scientific content and promotional interest in some editorials.

Radiology remains the flagship journal of imaging science—essential for scientific leadership. However, its focus on prestige and high-tech trends may eclipse critical issues in clinical utility, health equity, and cost-conscious care.