Afterhours diagnostic radiology in the USA: radiologists' views on imaging volumes, compensation, work-from-home, and compensatory time-off.

PURPOSE

To understand the afterhours radiology workforce and views towards imaging volumes, compensation, overnight challenges, and work-from-home.  METHODS: Survey questions focusing on the afterhours radiology workforce were created. The survey was administered by the American College of Radiology (ACR) and the data analysis performed by the ACR in partnership with an independent market research agency. The confidence level was set at 95%, with an error rate of +/- 2.2%.  RESULTS: A total of 1109 out of 1844 (60.1%) survey participants responded to the afterhours survey. A majority of respondents (56%) had worked an afterhours shift while a minority had worked a late-evening (18%) or overnight shift (13%). Irrespective of practice type, the majority of radiologists thought afterhours volumes were not manageable, and afterhours compensation was not equitable. Less than half of those who worked overnight shifts believed they were given adequate compensatory time-off for recovery. The majority of respondents supported work-from-home for afterhours shifts.

CONCLUSIONS

As the largest survey to date on after-hours radiology, these findings should be carefully considered by practices aiming to successfully recruit and retain radiologists in this critical niche.