Workload of consultant radiologists in a large DGH and how it compares to international benchmarks.

AIM

To measure radiologist workloads in a UK radiology department using relative value units (RVUs), and compared these data to current international standards from Australia and Ireland.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data on reporting throughput was gathered for 13.5 whole-time equivalent (WTE) consultants at the DGHs of East Lancashire Hospitals Trust (ELHT) between April 2010 to March 2011. RVUs were assigned to the reported imaging studies to create a crude RVU/WTE score. This was compared to benchmarks from Australia and results from a similar study in Ireland. Time spent on teaching, multidisciplinary teams, and administration was factored in to create a net RVU/WTE score, more accurately assessing workload.

RESULTS

Radiologists in ELHT reported 110,315 imaging studies, producing a total of 649,617 RVUs. Crude reporting workloads were 48,119.78 RVUs/WTE, and net workloads were 83,674.00 RVUs/WTE (with consultants spending 42.49% of their time on non-reporting commitments). These crude and net workloads are far above the Australian maximum reporting benchmark of 45,000 RVUs.

CONCLUSION

The workload is much higher than international benchmarks, indicating high-quality service and excellent value for money, but also highlights understaffing. Foreign RVU systems do not accurately reflect current UK practices and a UK-specific RVU system should be developed to assess staffing and analyse performance.