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Validating AI Investments in Radiation Oncology

 

Workflow fit, unbundled pricing, staffing reality, and what AI costs after the demo.

 

Medsolve Dynamics validates AI claims in radiation oncology against workflow fit, staffing reality, and what the software actually costs once it is unbundled.

 

Short field notes, recorded as they came up. Newest first.

 

 

Price the AI, Not the Demo: Two Questions Before You Buy Theranostics Response-Monitoring Software

July 13, 2026 · Listen

Yoel Bakas, computer science and an MBA in artificial intelligence, twenty years configuring and pricing this class of technology from the vendor side, on the two questions radiation oncology and theranostics programs should ask before buying AI response-monitoring or workflow software: does it have a billing pathway (or is it an operating expense with no code to bill against), and who owns the output when the software touches a clinical decision. For hospital and freestanding radiation oncology administrators, CFOs, and theranostics program leads evaluating AI, software renewals, and capital vs operating spend.

 

Why AI Efficiency Disappears Between the Demo and the Staffing Model.

June 11, 2026 · Listen

Vendor AI demos show real efficiency that never reaches the staffing model. The workflow redesign and oversight cost behind AI value in radiation oncology.

 

Why AI Is Not a One-Time Purchase in Radiation Oncology

June 4, 2026 · Listen

AI purchasing differs fundamentally from traditional capital and software decisions. The cost is not the license, it is the recurring monitoring as the model drifts in ways no tolerance table catches. From hype to value: how to evaluate AI for long-term cost structure, clinical accountability, and organizational readiness, not the demo.

 

Ask The Vendor What The Same Software Costs Without The AI. The Unbundled-Price Question

May 21, 2026 · Listen

From 20 years on the vendor side of oncology software sales, the one question that exposes the AI price premium baked into software renewal quotes in 2026. Treatment planning systems, contouring software, registry products, SaaS modules. The AI features were priced higher than the same software would have priced two years ago. Get the unbundled price.

 

When I Was On The Vendor Side: The AI Demo That Skipped The Workflow Question

May 19, 2026 · Listen

A vendor-side story Yoel Bakas has watched play out dozens of times in radiation oncology. A software demo runs without anyone asking what is actually broken in the customer's workflow. The tool gets relabeled AI-enabled a year later. Until the customer understands what is broken, it does not matter what the tool is. AI in radiation oncology, workflow design, vendor evaluation, capital decision.

 

AI Procurement Accountability in Healthcare: 3 Questions Before You Sign

April 14, 2026 · Listen

The conversation highlights the pitfalls of AI procurement, the consequences of procurement failure, misleading claims in AI sales, and key questions for procurement. It emphasizes the importance of considering adoption requirements and the impact on workflow when purchasing AI solutions.

  • Procurement failure.

  • Adoption requirements.

 

Defining the problem before pricing is crucial.

April 1, 2026 · Listen

The conversation emphasizes the importance of answering key questions before requesting a quote from a vendor, highlighting the vendor's influence on unanswered questions and the significance of defining the problem before pricing. It also mentions an upcoming presentation at the AMAC® Spring Symposium.

  • Answer key questions before engaging with vendors.

  • Defining the problem before pricing is crucial.

 

Evaluate support gaps before signing up for AI or software solutions.

March 17, 2026 · Listen

The conversation explores the challenges of using AI tools developed by vendors and the importance of understanding support mechanisms. It emphasizes the need to evaluate support gaps before signing up for AI or software solutions.

  • Vendor support for AI tools.

  • Understanding support mechanisms.

 

The importance of starting AI adoption with math, validating model accuracy.

March 17, 2026 · Listen

The conversation covers the importance of starting AI adoption with math, validating model accuracy, challenges with benchmarks, the review and sign-off process, and the impact of AI on business. It emphasizes the need to ask questions before signing AI paperwork to ensure it drives positive change.

  • AI adoption starts with math.

  • Validate model accuracy on relevant data.

  • Benchmarks may not reflect your practice.

  • Consider who needs to review and sign off.

  • AI should drive change, not just add cost.

  • Ask questions before signing AI paperwork.

 

The challenges and considerations related to the implementation of AI tools in Oncology programs.

March 17, 2026 · Listen

The conversation explores the challenges and considerations related to the implementation of AI tools in programs. It delves into the evaluation framework, task automation, liability, KPIs for success, workflow changes, and the impact on schedule and review processes.

  • AI tools require a clear evaluation framework.

  • Workflow changes are essential for AI implementation.

 

The Trap of Addressing Downstream Processes in AI implementations.

March 17, 2026 · Listen

The 2026 reimbursement change in radiation oncology has led to a focus on AI to protect margins and rebuild workflows. However, the trap lies in addressing downstream processes and avoiding bottlenecks.

  • 2026 reimbursement change.

  • AI to protect margins.

 

More field notes: Theranostics & service line growth · Program operations · all seven topics

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