Eric Postal, MD

While some may equate extra work hours as honorable self-sacrifice or dedication to patients, striving for an optimal balance of life and work is an individual choice that shouldn’t be criticized.

When reviewing radiographs, computed tomography (CT) scans or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, do you still turn to mnemonics every now and then to jog your short-term memory?

Whether it’s attempting to get appropriate clinical histories from referring physicians or getting a tech to split up a multiphasic contrast study into separate image series, consistently striving to fight the good fight for optimal image interpretation is worth the effort.

Whether it’s the proverbial “bad penny” case that crashes PACS or the perception that positive computed tomography angiography (CTA) exams for pulmonary arterial clots come in sets of three, suspicions can emerge here and there in radiology.

This author emphasizes that diplomacy is always the best policy when leaving one radiology employer for another.

This author emphasizes keys to being engaging and informative during a lecture.

One of the hallmarks of career savvy is recognizing when changes in worklist demands or compensation require adapting as a team player or adapting to a new change of scenery.

Lamenting a lack of control over imaging requests from referring clinicians, this author suggests that a more collaborative approach between referrers and radiologists may facilitate more efficient use of imaging.

Has a form of aversive conditioning sabotaged morale in radiology?

A continued emphasis on sharpening skills, robust networking and living within one’s means are keys to navigating the ups and downs of the radiology job market.

Is there a certain line of self-preservation in radiology reporting for findings and impressions?

A good awareness of your communication style with others can pay significant dividends in your career.

While social media posts abound about the impact of the residency match in different fields and other topics, this author encourages perspective that is grounded in the facts.

In an age of robust imaging volume, time constraints and challenges with voice recognition software, attention to detail with verbiage in radiology reports may suffer.

In addition to the advantages of working remotely, this author says teleradiology increases competition, collaboration and growth for radiologists and rad groups alike.

From pagers, transcriptionists, and low-tech X-rays to teleradiology, advanced imaging and artificial intelligence (AI), this author considers the evolution of radiology over three decades.

Can more easygoing radiologists coexist with productivity-driven colleagues?

When you are asked about your occupation, how do you respond?

Does the allure of leadership lose its luster for more seasoned radiologists?

When you’re asked to review an X-ray for a patient who already had follow-up imaging, do you consider the results of follow-up imaging or evaluate the X-ray with fresh eyes?

When looking for a doc for your own health care needs, do you opt for a colleague, the closest in-network option or someone on the same page with your perspective on health care?

Acknowledging the repetitive reality that accompanies productivity incentives and seemingly extraneous verbiage to satisfy certain insurance requirements in radiology, this author has developed an appreciation for filler-free brevity and quiet.

For system errors and failures in radiology, are we prone to a satisfaction of search that prevents us from addressing deeper issues?

Is there an optimal pace for navigating the ebbs and flows of our worklists in radiology?

In order to alleviate some of the challenges with radiology worklist overload, this radiologist suggests alternative approaches for conveying new imaging requests and priorities.

Having interests outside of one’s chosen profession provides more of a multifaceted perspective and potentially more door-opening opportunities in the future.

Relief from looming reimbursement cuts, a PACS system that allows customized keyboard shortcuts and consistently relevant clinical histories are a few of the items on the wish list for this radiologist.

Lamenting the deteriorating quality of clinical histories that radiologists receive from referring clinicians, this author comically speculates about clinical histories one may see in the near future.

Taking the time to reexamine motivational priorities may be key to achieving an optimal work-life balance.

Building a career for the long haul requires a foundation of good life and work habits as well as an openness to innovation and change.