The Impact of Teleradiology in Latin America: Challenges and Opportunities

Factors such as the shortage of radiologists, the growing demand for imaging services, and the aftermath of the pandemic are putting pressure on current healthcare systems, not only in Latin America but worldwide. Given this scenario, it goes without saying that digital technology plays a fundamental role in both alleviating the burden on our radiologists and promoting early and high-quality diagnoses for the population.

Fewer Radiologists, and the Deficit Keeps Growing!

Reports indicate that over 80% of healthcare systems worldwide lack sufficient personnel in the field of radiology, and this trend does not seem likely to change in the short or medium term. The heavy workload, prolonged shifts, and constant pressure to provide precise diagnoses within reduced timeframes are driving many professionals to extreme exhaustion.

As one might expect, the lack of personnel forces radiologists to handle higher volumes of imaging studies in the same amount of time, ultimately affecting their physical and mental well-being. In fact, a recent report ranked radiology as the fifth medical specialty with the highest burnout rates, highlighting the urgent need for technological and organizational solutions to improve these specialists’ quality of life.

In Latin America, this imbalance between supply and demand is more than evident. While the volume of imaging studies increases annually, the training of new specialists does not progress at the same pace. The pandemic has also significantly impacted the specialty, generating uncertainty due to changes in shifts, personnel redistribution, and infection control measures. However, one of the most critical challenges facing radiology in Latin America (and healthcare systems in general) is the vast number of people living in rural and hard-to-reach areas. In many countries in the region, radiology specialists are concentrated in major cities, while remote communities have very limited access to these services. This geographical disparity leads to long waiting times for diagnosis and can delay essential treatments.

In this context, teleradiology has emerged as a solution that we could well call vital—literally!

The Bright Future of Teleradiology in Latin America

The future of teleradiology in Latin America is promising, as shown by various market growth projections.

According to Signify Research, the number of diagnostic imaging procedures in the region will increase significantly in the coming years. Additionally, the pressure on healthcare systems and the lack of specialists are driving the expansion of these services. Countries such as Brazil, Mexico, Chile, Argentina, Peru, and Colombia are already experiencing growth in the adoption of teleradiology to address the increasing demand.

“The teleradiology market in Latin America reached a value of USD 267.70 million in 2024,” according to Informes de Expertos. It is estimated to grow at a compound annual rate of 18.7% between 2025 and 2034, projecting a value of USD 1,252.31 million by 2034. This growth reflects the increasing adoption of teleradiology solutions in the region to address radiologist shortages and improve healthcare.

Teleradiology in Latin America: Pure Advantages for Healthcare!

Teleradiology is already revolutionizing healthcare in various regions of Latin America, offering key solutions to the challenges we have discussed. To conclude, here are the most significant benefits of “remote radiology”:

1. Greater access to specialists In many rural or remote areas, there are few or no available radiologists. With teleradiology, imaging studies can be analyzed by experts anywhere in the world, ensuring faster and more accurate diagnoses.
2. Faster diagnoses By reducing wait times for medical image interpretation, doctors can make quicker decisions and improve patient treatment, especially in emergency cases.
3. Cost reduction Teleradiology allows for resource optimization, avoiding unnecessary patient transfers and improving hospital and clinic efficiency. Additionally, medical centers can access radiology services without needing to hire full-time specialists.
4. Improved diagnostic quality Collaboration with specialized radiologists enables easy access to second opinions, reducing errors and enhancing result accuracy.
5. Integration with new technologies Advancements in artificial intelligence and cloud storage facilitate image interpretation, helping detect diseases with greater accuracy and speed.
6. Expansion of the healthcare market The growth of teleradiology in the region is driving new economic opportunities, fostering investment in technology and training in telemedicine.

At Dedalus, we have been developing innovative solutions for teleradiology for years, such as PACSonWEB, a platform that is already transforming medical imaging management in more than 50 healthcare institutions across Latin America. To provide our clients with maximum security and cutting-edge technology, we work hand in hand with our preferred cloud services partner, AWS, whose cloud ecosystem optimizes processes and ensures information protection.

The future of radiology in the region is advancing rapidly, and teleradiology is the key to addressing the sector’s challenges. Join us in embracing teleradiology and be part of this digital revolution!

1 WHO projects that the population aged 60 and over, which typically requires specialized imaging procedures, will double by 2050. The volume of CT and MRI studies is expected to increase by at least 7%, while X-ray studies will grow by 4% by 2026.