Radiology
How can we tackle the radiology capacity crisis?
A Royal College of Radiologists’ (RCR) Workforce Census noted a startling statistic: 49% of substantive consultants who left the workforce over the past year were under the age of 50, with the median age of fulltime substantive consultants leaving by 45. In this article, Dr. Dan Rose considers some of the contributing factors and potential solutions.
Historically, the public’s awareness of the role of radiologists (doctors responsible for the reporting of patient scans such as X Rays, MRI and CT scans) in healthcare management has been low, but the RCR has worked diligently to raise the profile of radiologists as critical to optimising patient care. Medical imaging will be a part of more than 80% of patient episodes,1 with vital input into things like cancer care as well as almost all emergency care. This should make the radiology workforce
crisis even more alarming to the public. There is a current 30% shortfall of clinical radiologists in the UK, forecast to increase to 40% by 2028; a shortfall that goes in parallel with ever- increasing demands on services. We’re seeing year-on-year growth in complex imaging, increased demands for shorter waiting times, increased development of capacity to capture images (for example with the growth in local diagnostic centres) - but without the capacity to report them. This is without even considering the non-reporting aspects of a substantive NHS radiologist’s role, and the critical role played in MDTs, which remain pivotal in progressing patient management. It’s concerning then to see data released in the RCR’s Workforce Census shows that 49% of full time NHS radiologists who left their substantive posts in the last year were under the age of 50, with a median age of 45 years2 This is around 16 years earlier than other doctors working within the NHS.3
Why? And what lessons
can we learn? The census identifies these key factors:
l Demand for diagnostics outpacing the workforce: While workforce growth has been stronger than in previous years (over 6%), it falls well short of the 11% surge in CT and MRI scans that need reporting.
l The Burnout Factor: The survey indicates a persistent 30% shortfall of radiologists, with 99% of departments unable to meet reporting requirements within contracted hours (just
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one department reported being able to). 100% of clinical directors are concerned about the impact of workforce shortages on morale, stress and burnout.
l Overtime overload: 43% departments report relying on staff ‘goodwill’ to manage excess reporting. Radiologists feel a strong sense of duty and loyalty to the NHS, but goodwill can get exhausted – and the RCR acknowledges that, as morale lowers, this goodwill element is likely to reduce.
It is important to manage burnout and acknowledge the importance of flexible working and the reality that radiologists increasingly have more options. The issues are obviously complex and, while there is increasing
awareness of burnout and the importance of wellbeing, we often lack the insight to recognise it in ourselves and our colleagues. Increased pressure of work, loss of control, the sense of duty to colleagues and patients in the face of insurmountable demands leads to increasing physical, mental and emotional fatigue, and in some cases moral distress.
Radiology: what does the future look like? Flexible working is an increasingly important factor and, in my view, it’s critical that we all, public and private, not only recognise this but adapt to adopt new working patterns and operating models that look after radiologists’ individual needs with the goal of keeping their
photo courtesy of Everlight Radiology
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