4924. The Current Status of Remote Work Among Radiologists in the United States
Authors* Denotes Presenting Author
Elizabeth Dibble *;
Alpert Medical School of Brown University
Eric Rubin;
South East Radiology
Jay Parikh;
MD Anderson Cancer Center
Objective:
To investigate current trends of remote interpretation of studies by radiologists across the United States radiology workforce.
Materials and Methods:
The American College of Radiology (ACR) Commission on Human Resources conducted its Annual 2022 Workforce Survey in September - December 2022. The sample was multisourced and drew from the ACR Member Database (30,440), nonmembers in the ACR Member Database (13,015) and Radiology Business Management Association (RBMA) members (1,736). ACR members, nonmembers, and RBMA members were surveyed using predominantly structured closed-end questions about current and recent radiology practice characteristics, consistent with earlier surveys. Responses were group practice deduplicated and weighted and compared to 2021. Fully qualified respondents were defined as employed either part-time or full-time, and self-reported that they had at least some input into hiring decisions made at the practice level. Partially qualified respondents were defined as employed radiologists who self-reported that they had no input into decision-making at the practice level.
Results:
In 2022, fully qualified radiologists self-reported a significantly higher percentage of working remotely (52% vs 37%; <em>p</em> = .000016) and preference for working remotely in the future (46% vs. 38%; <em>p</em> = .013156). Similarly, partially qualified radiologists in 2022 self-reported a significantly higher percentage of working remotely compared to 2021 (45% vs 36%; <em>p</em> = .000035). There was a nonsignificant higher percentage of partially qualified radiologists in 2022 than in 2021 self-reporting a preference for working remotely in the future (49% vs 44%; <em>p</em> = .023865).
Conclusion:
Compared to 2021, radiologists in 2022 self-reported both increased working remotely and a preference to work remotely in the future. With the current shortage of radiologists in the United Sates, radiology practice staffing may benefit from accommodating radiologist self-reported preference of increased remote interpretation of imaging studies.