A survey of U.S. radiology group practices indicates that many are thinking about turning to subspecialty teleradiology groups to complement their own internal resources as a strategy for dealing with cost pressures and recruiting difficulties.
According to the survey, nearly a quarter (23.4%) identified subspecialty coverage as a problem in their practices. Some 60% reported using a nighthawk teleradiology provider for general nighttime interpretations, and 15% were using a subspecialty teleradiology vendor for more demanding interpretations. In addition, 59% said they would consider subspecialty teleradiology as a means to fill in subspecialty areas in which their resources were limited.
When evaluating a teleradiology provider based on staffing and service issues, 48% of respondents ranked the ability to provide a secure, dependable RIS/PACS infrastructure as most critical to their decisions. Subspecialty expertise credentials were cited by 40%, and 28% said availability for consultation with referring physicians was most critical.
Only 11% reported heavy reliance on locum tenens radiologists to help them meet their recruiting and workload pressures, and 64% of respondents reported spending less than $25,000 annually for locum tenens services.
The survey measured the opinions of 128 radiologists, radiology practice owners, and practice medical directors, and was conducted by AuntMinnie.com on behalf of Franklin & Seidelmann Subspecialty Radiology of Beachwood, OH.
By AuntMinnie.com staff writers
May 3, 2006
Related Reading
Offshoring, teleradiology, and the future of our specialty, March 20, 2006
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