A remote assistance method (100) includes: applying a likelihood estimation model (42) to determine likelihoods of needing remote expert assistance for scheduled medical imaging examinations based on information on the scheduled medical imaging examinations; applying a load-balancing optimization model (44) to assign remote experts to the scheduled medical imaging examinations of the examination schedule based on the determined likelihoods of needing remote expert assistance and information on the remote experts; providing a remote assistance interface (28, 28′) via which a local operator (LO) performing a scheduled medical imaging examination can receive remote assistance from a remote expert (RE); and initiating a remote assistance session via the remote assistance interface for the scheduled medical imaging examination being performed, wherein the initiating includes automatically connecting the local operator with the remote expert assigned to the scheduled medical imaging examination being performed.