The Hidden Doctor Behind Every Medical Scan (And How to Have Better Conversations With Your Healthcare Team About Results)

Written By Jill Consor Beck

Ever received medical imaging results before your physician could explain them and ended up frantically searching terms like "extensive" and "severe" online?

You're definitely not alone.

At Go Long, we understand that managing your healthcare often involves deciphering an overwhelming amount of complex information—most of it designed for medical professionals, not patients. That's precisely why we connect with qualified experts who can break down medical terminology into practical guidance for everyday life.

Today, we're featuring Dr. Rachel Gerson, a radiologist who sees the big picture across every medical specialty. She's the doctor's doctor—the one interpreting your scans, catching things others might miss, and providing the data that shapes your treatment plan. What makes her particularly valuable? She's direct about what you actually need to know versus what's just medical noise, and she's passionate about using technology to make healthcare more accessible and personalized.

Sure, Rachel and I go way back to our triathlon days, but what brought us together for this conversation was her expertise in an area most of us interact with but rarely understand. We reconnected through a joint angel investing venture, and when I learned about her work in radiology and her passion for making healthcare more accessible, I knew our community needed to hear from her.

Rachel generated questions about everything from bone density screening to advocating for yourself during medical procedures—clearly, women are ready to take charge of their healthcare decisions instead of feeling lost in a system that doesn't always explain itself well.

Spoiler alert: The scary language in your radiology report might not be as catastrophic as it sounds. You can ask questions about your imaging tests to make them less invasive and more comfortable. And yes, there's real potential for AI to make medical reports patient-friendly in the near future.

Let's dive in.

NOTE: This episode does not constitute a patient-provider relationship of any kind. The topics covered are purely for informational purposes.

About Dr. Rachel Gerson

Dr. Rachel Gerson is a radiologist specializing in Women's Imaging and Musculoskeletal imaging. She is the Vice President of the Washington State Radiological Society and active in the American College of Radiology where she co-chairs the Commission on Sustainability. She holds an MBA focused on health innovation and is passionate about high value, responsible imaging, sustainable health care solutions and the future of medicine.

Most importantly, Rachel understands that behind every scan is a real person trying to navigate their health in a complex system. She's committed to making that process less intimidating and more empowering.

Major Topics Covered

  • What radiologists actually do vs. what patients typically experience

  • How to advocate for yourself during imaging procedures

  • The truth about bone density screening and why waiting until 65 might be too late

  • Colonoscopy alternatives that are more accessible than you think

  • Why medical reports sound scary and how AI might fix that

  • The promise and pitfalls of getting more medical information

  • Opportunistic screening - what else your scans can tell you about your health

  • Menopause hormone therapy's role in bone health during menopause

  • When "more testing" isn't always better and how to find the right balance

NOTE: While this conversation focuses on women's health concerns, many of the insights about navigating healthcare and understanding radiology apply to people of all ages and genders.

Quick Takeaways

Rachel: "The radiologist is the doctor's doctor. Very few people make it through the healthcare system without interacting with radiology, and we provide data and information that helps the clinical team put together a full picture of what's going on with the patient. Although I'm not seeing patients directly, I interact with clinicians all the time, helping them make appropriate choices for the best care for their patients."

On the future of radiology: "There's a lot of potential in using new technologies to make radiology reports more accessible. Your report might be immediately translatable into patient-friendly language, and there are opportunities for really personalized health recommendations based on what we see in your scans."

Jill: "You have to quarterback your own healthcare. No one's going to care more about my health than me. Getting that data and being able to at least go to my doctor with informed questions—that's where the upside of transparency really pays off. You have to go in ready to party when you see your doctor, with your list of questions ready."

Resources Mentioned During the Show

Colonoscopy alternatives:

Bone health considerations:

Previous "Going the Distance with Go Long" episodes:

Ways to Connect with Dr. Rachel Gerson

LinkedIn: Dr. Rachel Gerson - Follow for insights on health innovation, AI in radiology, and medical imaging sustainability

Ways to Connect with Go Long

Go Long recommends listening to the entire podcast for context, but knows you are all busy people, so below you will see timestamps. This episode is also available on YouTube.

Timestamps

00:00: Introduction and What Radiologists Actually Do
01:36: Dr. Gerson's Journey from Education to Radiology
03:36: Why Radiologists Are "The Doctor's Doctor"
07:31: Behind the Scenes: What Happens During Your Scan
12:29: Making Medical Reports Patient-Friendly
14:33: How to Advocate for Yourself During Imaging
19:12: Colonoscopy Alternatives You Should Know About
24:00: Prostate Cancer Screening Realities
26:00: AI and Personalized Risk Assessment
31:08: The Truth About Bone Density Screening
36:45: Bone Health and Hormone Replacement Therapy
42:57: Opportunistic Screening and Future Possibilities
44:08: When More Information Isn't Always Better
46:16: Wrap-up and Where to Find Dr. Gerson

Ready to get your own personalized accountability partner? One that communicates with you via text so you don't have to find time on your calendar to meet with?

P.S. — Rachel's insights about bone density peaking in your 20s should be required knowledge for every woman. Start those strength training habits now, not when you're already dealing with the aftermath. Your future self will thank you.

"Going the Distance with Go Long" is produced by JR Media Services. If you're enjoying the show, please reach out to Jon if you have any YouTube or podcast production needs.

Jill Consor Beck https://golong.me
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