Transitioning to Teleradiology

For some, it may be the lure of higher salaries – for others, the promise of more time with their families. For other professionals, it may be simply the excitement of joining a burgeoning field that offers the promise of both state-of-the-art technology and innovation.

Despite a radiologist’s reasons for transitioning into the field of teleradiology, one fact remains: Teleradiology is certainly making its mark on the radiology industry. It provides an option for young radiologists seeking a non-traditional career path or established radiologists looking for a change.

But, before imaging professionals opt out of a career in traditional, hospital-based radiology, it’s imperative that they understand the key benefits and drawbacks of a career in teleradiology. Fortunately, many teleradiogists assert, the pros far outweigh the cons.

The Right Recruits
 
According to David Phinney, PA-C, vice president of operations for Long Beach, Calif.-based NexxRad Teleradiology Partners and president of the recently formed American Teleradiology Association, professionals are attracted to teleradiology for a variety of reasons. But, he believes, some of the best candidates who make the switch are radiologists at the end of their careers.

Phinney provides the scenario of an older radiologist who views retirement with mixed emotions. Although the radiologist might anticipate some aspects of retirement, such as the flexibility to work from home or relocate to another city, if he wants to stay involved in the profession, he may go into teleradiology and work for a company that will allow him to have an office or reading station in his home. And the hospital or teleradiology service will send studies to him during certain hours, so he can generate income and continue to read, although not in a clinical setting.

Young radiologists fresh out of medical school are quickly becoming the next big group drawn to the teleradiology field. Phinney says that after completing their residencies and fellowships, many radiologists are lured by the attractive – and drastically different – lifestyle teleradiology promotes.

For instance, Phinney says, with teleradiology, “You’re not working in the hospital environment, which is a high-stress [and] highly politicized environment. You’re working, most of the time, from your home using state-of-the-art technology, and being paid probably better than you would be if you were part of the average radiology group, serving the average hospital.”

Incentives Galore
 
Another incentive for young professionals to consider teleradiology: the lack of on-call hours. Although some older radiologists – who, as young professionals, weren’t presented with the option of teleradiology – may view this aspect with disdain, young radiologists shouldn’t be deterred from entering the field.

“There are still people out there who resist it,” Phinney says. “There’s still a lot of ‘old-school’ groups out there who have the opinion that they pulled call when they were young, so the new guys coming out still need to pull call; ‘that’s how you cut your teeth in radiology, and that’s the way we’re going to do it.’ But it’s not always like that. It’s a really dynamic field.”

Still, like any other change affecting the radiology industry, such as the advent of PACS, there’s always a learning curve. And it may take some time for radiologists with an “old-school” mentality to fully accept the utilization of teleradiolgy. However, experts are optimistic that it will happen.

Also, since teleradiology is a relatively new field – growing exponentially in usage and popularity, young radiologists desiring technological innovation may be inclined to enter the field. But, the incentives of increased family and leisure time certainly don’t hurt.

“Depending upon what your life situation is, you have a job that you’re working one week, and then you’re off one week. You’re only going to work 26 weeks a year, and making the same money as a radiologist who’s working full time and having to pull call a couple of times a week,” Phinney says. “Those things are very attractive to the younger people coming out who may be [in] a young marriage or may [have] a young family and want to have an active lifestyle and make good money.”

One imaging profession who would likely agree with Phinney’s sentiments is David Ingle, MD. A Kansas City, Mo.-based teleradiologist with Team Health Teleradiology, Ingle cites flexibility as one of the key benefits his profession offers. “I think the biggest advantage for me and my family is the schedule and lack of commuting. I typically work seven days on and seven days off, and my commute has gone from an hour [or more] to no commute,” Ingle says.

Although Ingle acknowledges the challenges of his profession, such as adapting his lifestyle to sleep during the day and wake at night, he believes that the benefits of teleradiology clearly offset the drawbacks. According to Ingle, transitioning to teleradiology was an extremely positive career move, one that benefited his entire family.

“In addition to the benefits of your schedule and lack of commute, you get to see a great variety of cases and pathology,” Ingle says. “While the change to a ‘night owl’ might not be for everyone – and the caseload and primary modality interpreted (i.e., CT) might not be for everyone, it definitely can be a worthwhile move for others.”

Still need another incentive to enter the teleradiology field? Think green. For many teleradiologists, it’s all about seeing the hefty payoff for their remote services.

Phinney estimates that, on average, teleradiologists make approximately 15 percent more per year than traditional radiologists. “Having a fellowship, you can come into the field and immediately start out making [$400,000 to $450,000] a year.” And, combined with the decreased number of hours that teleradiologists often work each week, this payoff is even more pronounced.

Looking Ahead
 
Arguably, with such incentives offered – both financial and personal – the teleradiology field is quickly becoming an employer of choice. And, teleradiologists can also rest assured that the outlook of their profession is anything but bleak.

According to Nogah Haramati, MD, chief of radiology and professor of clinical radiology and surgery at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City, the teleradiology industry is certainly here to stay. Still, he asserts, healthcare professionals should avoid putting the industry in a box. 

“I think that ‘teleradiology’ is a term and concept that is no longer relevant. The future is beyond simple remote readings of cases from home,” Haramati says. “Regional heath information organizations, interoperability and data exchange between radiology and the myriad of other enterprise-wide systems and department specialty systems make the radiology information management future one that is indeed bright and exciting.”

And for those considering a career in teleradiology, Haramati has these words of wisdom: “Don’t give up your clinical skills, but use your interest in workflow, process and information management to enhance your environment and patient care,” he says.

One reason Haramati is so adamant about this is because he believes “information technology is here to stay. It affects all of our lives in major and minor ways; some accept that impact and some want to play a role in shaping our professional information landscape,” he says.

Haramati stresses that radiologists interested in entering the teleradiology field should “learn as much as you can and focus on your primary goals. Help us in radiology become better, faster and more cost-efficient in our quest to provide the best quality care to our patients.”


— Keri Forsythe is the assistant editor of RT Image. Questions and comments can be directed to kforsythe@rt-image.com.