Why Medical Physicists Are Drowning in Level 1 Tasks (And What It Means for AI Adoption)

Episode notes

Why are medical physicists, some of the most highly trained problem-solvers in healthcare, drowning in basic, repetitive regulatory work? In this conversation, Dr. Thomas Griglock breaks down the systemic challenges behind Level 1 task overload, from equipment testing to compliance workflows. He explains how the increasing volume of imaging studies, shrinking workforce pipelines, and continuous new technology adoption have collided to create a time crisis. And in a world where AI is touted as the future of radiology, Tom reveals why most health systems still struggle to implement meaningful automation. Drawing from his experience in academia, clinical physics, and industry, he shares candid insights on burnout, workforce shortages, and how misaligned decision-making at the leadership level creates costly mistakes. Tom argues that without rethinking time, staffing, and training, AI will continue to fall short, not because the tech isn't ready, but because the people who need to oversee it no longer have the bandwidth.