Teleradiology, artificial intelligence, and private equity takeovers—how do we navigate these rapid changes in the radiology landscape? In this episode, our co-hosts Dr. Ally Baheti and Dr. Mike Barraza bring Dr. Ben White back to the show to provide an update on the current radiology job market and share his insights on reclaiming value for the profession. Dr. White begins by reflecting on the changes since his last appearance with us in 2022, focusing primarily on the ongoing shortage of radiologists, which has lasted longer than anticipated during the pandemic, and the explosion of teleradiology.
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SYNPOSIS
Today’s radiologists are more mobile than ever, with remote work options and the appeal of sensationalized job postings. Dr. White also discusses the instability of more established practices, particularly when legacy partners depart after fulfilling their contractual obligations. In response, many practices are refinancing their debt, which has led to a decrease in practice acquisitions.
Dr. White believes that large-scale healthcare operations often result in increased inefficiency and reduced agility. The downstream effects include the commoditization of teleradiologists, concerns about decreased quality of reads, a limited scope of practice for procedures, reduced access to imaging for smaller hospitals, longer wait times, and more unstable locum staffing. The doctors also speculate about the future division of radiology into different service tiers, depending on the level of access each hospital has to radiologists.
Finally, Dr. White highlights his Independent Radiology job board, which lists open positions from physician-owned practices. His goal in creating the website is to address the pain points of other job advertisement sites, where misleading postings are common. He wants radiologists to consider joining a team of physicians, rather than simply accepting a job. His advice to all radiologists is to expect uncertainty in the job market and to remain flexible.
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TIMESTAMPS
00:00 - Current Radiology Job Market
07:43 - Updates on Private Equity in Radiology
16:26 - Role of Artificial Intelligence
22:46 - Growing Imaging Volume and Efficiency
26:51 - Challenges in Radiology Staffing
36:49 - Independent Radiology Job Board
50:07 - Future of Radiology and Final Thoughts
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RESOURCES
BackTable VI Ep. 277- Private Equity and the Radiology Job Environment with Dr. Ben White:
https://www.backtable.com/shows/vi/podcasts/277/private-equity-the-radiology-job-environment
Independent Radiology Job Board:
https://www.independentradiology.com/