Page 21 - Diagnostic Radiology - Interpreting the Risks Part One

SVMIC Diagnostic Radiology: Interpreting the Risks

luxury of time, radiology claims are particularly susceptible to

this type of unfair critical review. And, because of improved
imaging technology and perceived advancements in electronic

communication, radiologists are increasingly being held to a
higher standard.

The rapid expansion of services, globalization of healthcare, and

the imbalance between workload and workforce are a few of the
factors that may threaten the standards of health services, as

well as patient safety. There is a rising demand for radiologists
and 24/7 services. New technology, such as international

teleradiology, is leading the globalization occurring in the
highly competitive field of radiology. While medical imaging

and interpretation have sustained many changes in the last
few years (mainly as a result of technology breakthroughs), rise

in workload, deficit in workforce, bundled payment schemes,
and globalization have adversely affected the manner in which

medical information is reviewed and transmitted.

Time, or a lack thereof, is often cited by radiologists as an

obstacle to both attention to detail and communication.
Workload volume for radiologists has significantly increased.

According to Organisation for Economic Co-operation and
Development (OECD) data, between 2005 and 2016, the

average number of CT examinations per 1,000 people in the
United States rose from 195 to 254. And, the average number

of studies that a radiologist currently reviews per minute has
increased sevenfold from 1999 to 2010. Fatigue, “inattention
6
blindness”, and physician burnout are common among
radiologists.

6 “Interpretive Error in Radiology,” AJR:208, April 2017.

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