Radiology comic: Some assembly required

With dramatic changes less likely with respect to reimbursement and one’s career in radiology, have we downsized our expectations to be more accepting of a floor of stability and slow progress?

Richard Duszak, MD, and Mina Makary, MD, discuss a number of issues, ranging from demographic trends and NPRPs to physician burnout and medical student recruitment, that figure to impact the radiology workforce now and in the near future.

In an attempt to navigate the imbalance between rising imaging volume and a shortage of radiologists, researchers proposed a variety of measures that may provide additional resources, bolster productivity, and help mitigate burnout.

KA Imaging President and Chief Executive Officer Amol Karnick and Chief Technology Officer Karim S. Karim, Ph.D., offer insights into current X-ray imaging trends, as well as opportunities for innovation.

Women comprise nearly 80 percent of breast imaging departments and 45 percent of pediatric radiology departments at academic institutions, but burnout, the COVID-19 pandemic and discrimination have impeded further progress in radiology, according to a recently published literature review.

Emphasizing the gravity of the ongoing workforce shortage in radiology, these authors recommend a change agenda focusing on expanded numbers of residency positions, reassessment of educational pathways, maintaining a strong presence in hospital settings and practice level initiatives to reduce administrative burden and achieve appropriate reimbursement beyond RVU measurements.