Radiology Outcomes Research Laboratory

Our research assists health policymakers in making informed recommendations to healthcare systems and the public about when and how to use such tests. Our objective is to describe the effects of irradiating imaging on patient health, identify the value of different tests, decrease the use of harmful imaging, and optimize the performance of tests with proven clinical value and utility.

Founded in 2010 by Director Rebecca Smith-Bindman, MD, the Radiology Outcomes Research Laboratory (RORL)'s primary focus is to optimize the widely used diagnostic imaging tests that use ionizing radiation by increasing diagnostic precision while minimizing exposure and harm to patients. Since its founding, the contributions of the RORL and Dr. Smith-Bindman have been significant, such as the creation of the UCSF Computed Tomography (CT) International Dose Registry and the endorsement and implementation of both pediatric and adult quality measures to assess radiation dose in CT. Dr. Smith-Bindman’s contributions have been celebrated and awarded, including: being named a Leader in Imaging by Aunt Minnie in 2011; receiving a Distinguished Investigator Award by the Academy of Radiology Research in 2015; having an academic paper honored as one of the top 10 publications in 2013 funded by NCI's Epidemiology and Genomics Research Program; and being selected as 19th Annual Faculty Research Lectureship by the UCSF Academic Senate in 2019.