Peer Learning: From Toxic Scoring to Transformative Education with Dr. David Larson

Episode notes

In this episode of Frame by Frame: Rethink Imaging, host Chris St John welcomes Dr. David Larson, Founding Director of the AI Development and Evaluation Lab at Stanford University School of Medicine, to discuss how peer learning is redefining quality assurance in radiology. With over a decade at Stanford and prior leadership roles at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and Utah Radiology Associates, Dr. Larson has established himself as a pioneer in radiology quality improvement and patient safety. He is best known for developing peer learning as a transformative alternative to traditional peer review, focusing on feedback, learning, and improvement rather than punitive scoring. The conversation explores why score-based systems often foster adversarial relationships, while peer learning encourages participation, and drives genuine improvement in radiologist performance. Drawing from his extensive experience in dose optimization, technology integration, and medical education, Dr. Larson shares the “three pillars” of effective peer learning and demonstrates how programs can be adapted across different hospital environments—from small rural practices to large academic centers.