Shaping the Future of Diagnostic Radiology Physics: An Interview with Dr Matthew Rowlandson
Diagnostic Radiology (DR) physics plays a vital role in modern healthcare, from ensuring the safety of imaging equipment to optimising image quality and patient dose. As Chair of IPEM’s Diagnostic Radiology Special Interest Group (DR SIG), Dr Matthew Rowlandson is focused on ensuring the profession is not only maintaining high standards but actively shaping the future of the field.
We spoke to Matt about his priorities as Chair, the challenges facing DR physics, and where he sees the biggest opportunities for impact.
About Dr Matthew Rowlandson
Dr Matthew Rowlandson is a Consultant Clinical Scientist specialising in diagnostic radiology physics. He has worked extensively across imaging modalities including CT, X-ray and mammography, with a particular interest in quality assurance, dose optimisation and the evolving role of digital technologies in imaging.
Matt has been involved with IPEM’s DR SIG for four years, initially as a member and now as Chair. Alongside his clinical role, he is passionate about professional development, training and ensuring that diagnostic radiology physicists are positioned as equal partners within multidisciplinary imaging teams.
A Clear Focus: The Future of Diagnostic Radiology Physics
Since taking on the Chair role, Matt has been reflecting on a fundamental question: Should DR physics continue to evolve within its traditional structures, or is it time to redefine its mission?
There is natural overlap between diagnostic radiology and radiation protection, particularly through collaboration with IPEM’s Radiation Protection SIG. However, Matt believes it is essential that DR physics articulates its own forward-looking agenda. That thinking has led to a new initiative: The Future of DR Physics. This work centres on four key themes:
- Rethinking Quality Assurance
Traditional quality control programmes often rely on annual testing, supplemented by monthly or weekly checks by radiographers. But is this still the best model?
The SIG is exploring whether a more dynamic approach, involving shorter, more frequent checks combined with responsive testing when issues are detected could improve efficiency and performance.
The challenge? Building the evidence base.
A key ambition is to establish short, focused task-and-finish groups that can generate practical evidence quickly and report back to the community. The goal is to move from anecdote to peer-reviewed, defensible practice.
- Smarter Dose Audit and Digital Tools
Modern imaging systems generate vast amounts of digital data. Dose management software now enables near real-time analysis of patient exposure, yet this capability is not always fully utilised. The SIG is looking at how digital tools can:
- Improve live dose monitoring
- Support better audit processes
- Align with the NHS’s long-term digital strategy
- Enable more proactive clinical governance
Rather than viewing dose audits as retrospective exercises, the ambition is to make them dynamic and clinically integrated.
- Stronger Clinical Collaboration
In radiotherapy, physicists, oncologists and radiographers operate in a well-established multidisciplinary model. In diagnostic radiology, collaboration can be less formally structured.
Matt believes DR physicists should position themselves as equal partners in imaging delivery particularly in areas such as AI. Currently, AI implementation in diagnostic imaging is often led by radiologists and radiographers. In other imaging specialties, physicists are more central to AI leadership. The SIG is keen to ensure DR physicists develop the confidence and capability to contribute meaningfully in this space.
To support this, new AI-focused training initiatives for physicists are being developed in collaboration with colleagues across IPEM.
- Clinical Image Quality in the Digital Era
With imaging now fully digital, physicists have unprecedented access to clinical image datasets. This opens opportunities to:
- Assess real-world clinical image quality
- Identify early system degradation
- Detect subtle performance issues before traditional QA tests flag them
- Work more closely with clinical teams to optimise imaging pathways
It represents a shift from equipment-focused QA to clinically integrated quality optimisation.
Delivering Change and Demonstrating Value
Matt is clear that bold ideas alone are not enough. For members to engage fully, the SIG must demonstrate impact. That means short, focused task-and-finish projects, faster feedback loops, clear evidence of benefit and visible outputs
There is also recognition that volunteer capacity and governance processes can slow progress. While appropriate governance is essential, the ambition is to find more agile ways of working within those structures.
Looking Ahead
Matt is realistic about timescales. Transforming quality assurance models, embedding digital innovation and reshaping professional roles will not happen within a single Chair term. His ambition is to build momentum, generate evidence, engage the community and leave the SIG in a strong position for the next phase. Ultimately, the success of “The Future of DR Physics” will depend on collective effort.
For more information about “The Future of DR Physics” please check out Jonathon Cole’s article in the latest edition of Scope and please pencil in the diary a lunchtime webinar on 1st May 2026 to launch this project.
If you would like to get involved with the Diagnostic Radiology SIG or contribute to upcoming task-and-finish groups, keep an eye on upcoming communications and SIG updates.