Deljit Dhanoa1, Tajinder S Dhesi, Kirsteen R Burton, Savvas Nicolaou, Teresa Liang. 1. Department of Radiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Department of Radiology, Fraser Health Authority, Vancouver, British Columbia. Electronic address: dhanoad@yahoo.com.
Abstract
PURPOSE: The role of the present-day on-site hospital radiologist surpasses image interpretation-related duties. This study characterizes these workload activities, as well as quantifies the type of value-based interactions radiologists experience on a daily basis with allied health personnel. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective, observational, randomized study was performed across 3 hospitals in the fall of 2012. One month of observation of 14 staff radiologists was performed by a trained observer. The observer followed the subject radiologists throughout the workday, recording activities using a time and motion methodology. RESULTS: Radiologists spent 36.4% of their time on image interpretation. The proportion of noninterpretative tasks was 43.8%, which includes activities such as protocolling requisitions, supervising and monitoring studies, performing image-guided procedures, consulting with physicians, and directly caring for patients. Total clinical productivity was 87.7%, and radiologists experienced, on average, 6 interactions per hour with other health personnel, of which over 81.2% directly influenced patient care in real time. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates a new framework of characterizing the type of work radiologists perform on a daily basis, which helps further define the evolving role of the present-day radiologist to other physicians, administrators, and policy makers. Furthermore, the on-site added value that radiologists deliver suggests that radiologists are central figures in the medical imaging department who are difficult to replace by off-site or nonradiologist image interpreters. Crown
PURPOSE: The role of the present-day on-site hospital radiologist surpasses image interpretation-related duties. This study characterizes these workload activities, as well as quantifies the type of value-based interactions radiologists experience on a daily basis with allied health personnel. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective, observational, randomized study was performed across 3 hospitals in the fall of 2012. One month of observation of 14 staff radiologists was performed by a trained observer. The observer followed the subject radiologists throughout the workday, recording activities using a time and motion methodology. RESULTS: Radiologists spent 36.4% of their time on image interpretation. The proportion of noninterpretative tasks was 43.8%, which includes activities such as protocolling requisitions, supervising and monitoring studies, performing image-guided procedures, consulting with physicians, and directly caring for patients. Total clinical productivity was 87.7%, and radiologists experienced, on average, 6 interactions per hour with other health personnel, of which over 81.2% directly influenced patient care in real time. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates a new framework of characterizing the type of work radiologists perform on a daily basis, which helps further define the evolving role of the present-day radiologist to other physicians, administrators, and policy makers. Furthermore, the on-site added value that radiologists deliver suggests that radiologists are central figures in the medical imaging department who are difficult to replace by off-site or nonradiologist image interpreters. Crown
Authors: Timothy P Szczykutowicz; Christina L Brunnquell; Gregory D Avey; Carrie Bartels; Daryn S Belden; Richard J Bruce; Aaron S Field; Walter W Peppler; Peter Wasmund; Gary Wendt Journal: J Digit Imaging Date: 2018-04 Impact factor: 4.056
Authors: Zahraa S A Alkhalaf; Derya Yakar; Jan Cees de Groot; Rudi A J O Dierckx; Thomas C Kwee Journal: Eur Radiol Date: 2021-01-15 Impact factor: 5.315