How Radiology Leaders Can Address Burnout.

The 2018 Annual Workforce Survey conducted by the ACR Commission on Human Resources demonstrated that, although the majority of radiology practice leaders acknowledge radiologist burnout as a significant problem, only about one in five leaders responded that their practices were either extremely or very effective at addressing physician burnout. Moving forward, leaders will be increasingly held accountable and expected to describe to their teams their reasons for not addressing burnout. In this article, common misperceptions that may contribute to radiology practice leaders not addressing burnout are described, followed by outlining practical skills that leaders should develop to effectively address burnout.

Characteristics of Radiologists' Clinical Practice Patterns by Career Stage.

PURPOSE: To assess characteristics of radiologists' clinical practice patterns by career stage. METHODS: Radiologists' 2016 billed services were extracted from the Medicare Physician and Other Supplier Public Use File. Billed clinical work was weighted using work relative value units. Medical school graduation years were obtained from Medicare Physician Compare. Practice patterns were summarized by decades after residency. RESULTS: Among 28,463 included radiologists, 32.7% were ≤10 years postresidency, 29.3% 11-20 years, 25.0% 21-30 years, 10.5% 31-40 years, 2.4% 41-50 years, 0.1% ≥51 years. Billed clinical work (normalized to a mean of 1.00 among all radiologists) ranged 0.92-1.07 from 1 to 40 years, decreasing to 0.64 for 41-50 years and 0.43 for ≥51 years. Computed tomography represented 34.7%-38.6% of billed clinical work from 1 to 30 years, decreasing slightly to 31.5% for 31-40 years. Magnetic resonance imaging represented 13.9%-14.3% from 1 to 30 years, decreasing slightly to 11.2% for 31-40 years. Ultrasonography represented 6.2%-11.6% across career stages. Nuclear medicine increased steadily from 1.7% for ≤10 years to 7.0% for 41-50 years. Mammography represented 9.9%-12.9% from 1 to 50 years. Radiography/fluoroscopy represented 15.1%-29.8% from 1 to 50 years, but 65.9% for ≥51 years. CONCLUSION: The national radiologist workforce declines abruptly by more than half approximately 30 years after residency. Radiologists still working at 31-40 years, however, contribute similar billed clinical work, both overall and across modalities, as earlier career radiologists. Strategies to retain later-career radiologists in the workforce could help the specialty meet growing clinical demands, mitigate burnout in earlier career colleagues, and expand robust patient access to both basic and advanced imaging services.

Radiologist Burnout According to Surveyed Radiology Practice Leaders.

Overall, 55% of surveyed radiology practice leaders reported that burnout was a very significant problem, and 22% reported that burnout was a significant problem. Burnout did not vary by geographical region but did vary by practice size. Overall, 71% of respondents reported stress from workplace factors, and 36% reported stress from personal or social factors very significantly affected radiologist employee wellness; both sets of factors varied by geographical region, practice size, and practice type. Only 19% of practice leader respondents reported mechanisms to assess burnout, which varied by region and practice type.

Radiology Practice Consolidation: Fewer but Bigger Groups Over Time.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess recent trends in US radiology practice consolidation. METHODS: Radiologist practice characteristics were obtained from the Medicare Physician Compare database for 2014 and 2018. Radiologists were classified on the basis of their largest identifiable practice affiliations. Single-specialty radiology practices were identified using practice names. Temporal trends in practice sizes were assessed. RESULTS: At the individual radiologist level from 2014 to 2018, the fraction of all radiologists in groups with 1 or 2 members declined from 3.2% to 2.1%, 3 to 9 members from 10.2% to 6.7%, 10 to 24 members from 18.2% to 14.1%, 25 to 49 members from 16.6% to 15.1%, and 50 to 99 members from 13.3% to 11.5%. In contrast, the fraction in groups with 100 to 499 members increased from 15.7% to 21.8% and with ≥500 members from 22.9% to 28.7%. At the practice level, the fraction of all radiologists' practices with 1 or 2 members decreased from 26.9% to 22.8%, whereas the fraction with 100 to 499 members increased from 7.6% to 10.2% and with ≥500 members from 2.5% to 4.1%. Similar shifts were present for single-specialty radiology practices and all geographic regions nationally. The 30,492 radiologists identified in 2014 were affiliated with 4,908 group practices, including 2,812 single-specialty practices. In comparison, the 32,096 radiologists identified in 2018 were affiliated with 4,193 group practices (a 14.6% decline), including 2,216 single-specialty practices (a 21.2% decline). CONCLUSIONS: In very recent years, the US radiologist workforce has consolidated, leading to increased practice sizes and a substantial decline in the number of distinct practices, disproportionately affecting single-specialty radiology practices. The impact of this consolidation on cost, quality, and patient access merits further attention.

2018 ACR Commission on Human Resources Workforce Survey.

PURPOSE: The ACR Commission on Human Resources conducts an annual workforce survey to determine the makeup of the radiology workforce and to identify potential plans for hiring new staff in an attempt to better understand our profession. METHODS: The Practice of Radiology Environment Database group leaders were asked to complete an electronic survey regarding the makeup of their present workforce by subspecialty as well as the numbers and types of subspecialists hired in 2017 and the numbers and types of subspecialists expected to be hired in 2018 and 2019. They were also asked about midlevel practitioner employment. RESULTS: Twenty-three percent of practice leaders (367) represente 10,179 radiologists, 30% of all practicing radiologists in the United States, responded to the survey. The number of radiology groups represented in this survey decreased from 1,811 in the 2017 survey to 1,588 groups in the 2018 survey. The current makeup of radiology workforce remains similar to 2016 and 2017. The workforce distribution by practice type and radiologists' ages has been relatively stable since 2012. Practice leaders report they plan to hire between 1,393 to 1,808 radiologists in 2018 (similar to 2017 reported hires between 1,434 to 1,861) with the greatest number of hires to be in breast imaging, neuroradiology, and interventional radiology. The study represented 549 midlevel practitioners and 693 medical physicists. CONCLUSION: The 2018 ACR workforce survey continues to show a positive picture and outlook for those seeking jobs as practicing radiologists in 2018.

The Late-Career Radiologist: Options and Opportunities.

More than 25% of the present radiology workforce, or nearly 8300 radiologists, are actively practicing late-career radiologists. While these individuals could decide to retire from active practice, their continued presence in the workforce helps to maintain adequate and appropriate patient imaging services. To ensure their continued participation, issues important to all late-career radiologists need to be appreciated, discussed, and addressed. These issues include call-duty requirements, compensation, physical and cognitive health, and organized phase-out programs. The gamut of these issues is addressed in this review article. ©RSNA, 2018.

The Road to Wellness: Engagement Strategies to Help Radiologists Achieve Joy at Work.

Physician wellness is recognized as a critical component of enhancing the quality of health care. An epidemic of symptoms related to stress and burnout among medical professionals, including radiologists, in the workplace is threatening not only health care providers at a personal level but also the entire health care system. In this review, the authors highlight recognized stressors in the contemporary radiology workplace and offer practical suggestions for mitigating burnout, improving professional engagement, and promoting wellness. Thematic goals to focus on include fostering an integrated and harmonious community at work, diminishing workplace detractors, creating opportunities to cultivate positive attitudes and intellect, and implementing effective leadership practices. ©RSNA, 2018.

The 2017 ACR Commission on Human Resources Workforce Survey.

PURPOSE: The ACR Commission on Human Resources conducts an annual workforce survey to determine the makeup of the radiology workforce and to identify potential plans for hiring new staff in an attempt to understand our profession better. METHODS: The Practice of Radiology Environment Database group leaders were asked to complete an electronic survey regarding the makeup of their present workforce by subspecialty, as well as the numbers and types of subspecialists hired in 2016 and the numbers and types of subspecialists expected to be hired in 2017 and 2020. They were also asked about midlevel practitioners. RESULTS: Twenty-six percent of practice leaders (477) representing 11,056 radiologists, 33% of all practicing radiologists in the United States, responded to the survey. The workforce distribution by practice type and radiologists' ages has been relatively stable since 2012. Six percent of the practicing workforce is over the age of 65 years. Sixteen percent of radiologists work part-time, and 21.5% of radiologists are female. The survey results indicate that 1,569 to 2,037 radiologists were hired in 2016. In 2017, 1,826 to 2,370 new job opportunities are anticipated, a 14.1% increase compared with 2016. For 2017, the subspecialists most recruited will be neuroradiologists, general interventionalists, after-hours radiologists, and body imagers. Approximately 2,156 midlevel practitioners are presently working and supervised by radiologists. CONCLUSIONS: The 2017 ACR workforce study shows an optimistic picture and outlook for those seeking jobs as practicing radiologists in 2017. For practice leaders, the market will be much more competitive than it has been in past years.

Work-Related Injuries of Radiologists and Possible Ergonomic Solutions: Recommendations From the ACR Commission on Human Resources.

Increasingly, radiologists' workplaces revolve around PACS and digital imaging. Use of these technologies can lead to repetitive strain injuries, many of which can be exacerbated by specific features of a radiology practice environment. Ergonomic approaches, such as proper reading room structure, lighting, temperature, noise, and equipment setup, can help decrease the frequency and severity of repetitive strain injuries and improve radiologist productivity. However, ergonomic approaches are complex, include all aspects of the radiology practice environment, and are best implemented along with proper training of the practicing radiologists. The ergonomic approaches considered most important by members of the ACR Commission on Human Resources are presented in this report, and this information may serve as an aid in departmental planning.

Potential Radiation-Related Effects on Radiologists.

OBJECTIVE: The risk of injury associated with long-term occupational exposure to ionizing radiation is low for radiologists. The purpose of this article is to systematically review and inform radiologists about radiation-related effects to which they are potentially susceptible. CONCLUSION: Formal education and training on radiation safety and management, careful attention to good radiation protection habits, and continued emphasis on radiation management and the as low as reasonably achievable principle are recommended for all radiologists.

Addition of the Fleischner Society Guidelines to Chest CT Examination Interpretive Reports Improves Adherence to Recommended Follow-up Care for Incidental Pulmonary Nodules.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to determine whether the addition of the Fleischner Society guidelines to chest computed tomography (CT) reports identifying incidental pulmonary nodules affects follow-up care. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Beginning in 2008, a template containing the Fleischner Society guidelines was added at the interpreting radiologist's discretion to chest CT reports describing incidental solid pulmonary nodules at our institution. The records of all medical centers in Olmsted county were used to capture the complete medical history of local patients >35 years old diagnosed with a pulmonary nodule from April 1, 2008 to October 1, 2011. Patients with a history of cancer or previously diagnosed nodule, or who died before follow-up, were excluded. Patients were categorized according to whether they did ("template group") or did not ("control group") have the template added. Nodule size and smoking history were used to determine recommended follow-up care. Differences in follow-up were compared between groups using Pearson's chi-square test. RESULTS: A total of 510 patients (276 in the template group, 234 in the control group) were included in the study. Only 198 patients (39%) received their recommended follow-up care. Template group patients were significantly more likely to receive recommended follow-up care compared to control group patients (45% vs 31%, P = .0014). Most patients whose management did not adhere to Fleischner Society guidelines did not receive a recommended follow-up chest CT (210 out of 312, 67%). CONCLUSIONS: The addition of the Fleischner Society guidelines to chest CT reports significantly increases the likelihood of receiving recommended follow-up care for patients with incidental pulmonary nodules. Additional education is needed to improve appropriate guideline utilization by radiologists and adherence by ordering providers.

The Radiologist and Depression.

Clinical depression affects physicians, including radiologists. Medical professionals, including radiologists, may be more comfortable treating a patient than being one, and psychiatric issues may be regarded as taboo for discussion, so the issue of clinical depression in the specialty and subspecialty has not received widespread attention. Specifically, a review of the national and international literature in PubMed, Scopus, and Google reveals few publications dedicated to the issue of clinical depression in radiology; although statistically, they must exist. The purpose of this report is to define the terms and describe the manifestations and scope of the issues related to clinical depression, with special attention given to risk factors unique to radiologists, such as working in low ambient light or near different fields of magnetic strength. By the end of the article, it is the authors' hope that the reading radiologist will be aware of, and open to, the possibility of clinical depression in a colleague or within his or herself because clinical depression is common and it is important to get help.

Evaluation of Posttreatment Follow-Up of Patients With Prostate Cancer Relative to the American College of Radiology's Appropriateness Criteria.

OBJECTIVE: The American College of Radiology (ACR) Appropriateness Criteria panel has recommended that patients with prostate cancer who have received treatment undergo imaging only after suspected cancer recurrence. We examined whether local physicians followed this recommendation and what types of imaging examinations were ordered in a cohort of patients with local prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Rochester Epidemiology Project, a research consortium that collects, links, and stores medical record information of Olmsted County, Minnesota, residents, was used to capture the complete medical history of treated patients with prostate cancer from 2000 through 2011. Clinical information and imaging examinations performed were retrieved by chart review. Suspected recurrence was defined as treatment-specific prostate-specific antigen level elevations, bone pain, or abnormal digital rectal examination findings. RESULTS: Of the 670 treated patients with prostate cancer who were included in the final analysis, 129 (19%) underwent posttreatment imaging. After excluding imaging related to retreatment or another cancer, 13 patients (i.e., 2% of the entire cohort and 10% of imaged patients) underwent imaging in the absence of suspected recurrence. A total of 90 patients (70% of imaged patients) underwent imaging after suspected recurrence. Of these 90 patients, 62 (69%) underwent a bone scan as their first imaging modality either alone or in combination with other imaging modalities. Of the providers who ordered a bone scan first, 27% were urologists, 23% were radiation oncologists, and 24% were primary care physicians. CONCLUSION: Most patients in this study did not undergo imaging in the absence of suspected recurrence. Various types of imaging examinations were ordered for patients with suspected recurrence.

Transcriptomic and Immunohistochemical Profiling of SLC6A14 in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma.

We used a target-centric strategy to identify transporter proteins upregulated in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) as potential targets for a functional imaging probe to complement existing anatomical imaging approaches. We performed transcriptomic profiling (microarray and RNASeq) on histologically confirmed primary PDAC tumors and normal pancreas tissue from 33 patients, including five patients whose tumors were not visible on computed tomography. Target expression was confirmed with immunohistochemistry on tissue microarrays from 94 PDAC patients. The best imaging target identified was SLC6A14 (a neutral and basic amino acid transporter). SLC6A14 was overexpressed at the transcriptional level in all patients and expressed at the protein level in 95% of PDAC tumors. Very little is known about the role of SLC6A14 in PDAC and our results demonstrate that this target merits further investigation as a candidate transporter for functional imaging of PDAC.

The impaired radiologist.

Radiologists are faced with ever-increasing challenges in the needs of the practice, in both private and academic settings. Targeted information about protecting and maintaining the physical, mental, and emotional health of the radiologist is highly limited. Impairment is a functional classification that implies that the individual affected by a disease is unable to perform specific activities. Radiologists can suffer from the same illnesses as any human being, which include substance abuse and addiction, as well as chronic infectious diseases such as human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B and C, and tuberculosis. This article is intended to educate radiologists and leaders about various forms of physician impairment. It provides discussion of the challenges related to such impairment and provides tools and resources to address the impaired radiologist.

How to set up a departmental comparative effectiveness research unit: one department's experience.

OBJECTIVE: Comparative effectiveness research (CER) is the comparison of clinical interventions in real-world settings. The purpose of this article is to discuss the experiences of a CER unit created within the radiology department of one medical institution to provide an example of how to pursue CER within the field of radiology. CONCLUSION: Medical institutions would benefit from investing in CER by creating research groups specifically devoted to this evolving field.