Rationale and Objectives
To examine the effect of changes in utilization and advances in cross-sectional imaging
on radiologists' workload.
Materials and Methods
All computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations performed
at a single institution between 1999 and 2010 were identified and associated with
the total number of images for each examination. Annual trends in institutional numbers
of interpreted examinations and images were translated to changes in daily workload
for the individual radiologist by normalizing to the number of dedicated daily CT
and MRI work assignments, assuming a 255-day/8-hour work day schedule. Temporal changes
in institutional and individual workload were assessed by Sen's slope analysis (Q = median slope) and Mann–Kendall test (Z = Z statistic).
Results
From 1999 to 2010, a total of 1,517,149 cross-sectional imaging studies (CT = 994,471;
MRI = 522,678) comprising 539,210,581 images (CT = 339,830,947; MRI = 199,379,634)
were evaluated at our institution. Total annual cross-sectional studies steadily increased
from 84,409 in 1999 to 147,336 in 2010, representing a twofold increase in workload
(Q = 6465/year, Z = 4.2, P < .0001). Concomitantly, the number of annual departmental cross-sectional images
interpreted increased from 9,294,140 in 1990 to 94,271,551 in 2010, representing a
10-fold increase (Q = 8707876/year, Z = 4.5, P < .0001). Adjusting for staffing changes, the number of images requiring interpretation
per minute of every workday per staff radiologist increased from 2.9 in 1999 to 16.1
in 2010 (Q = 1.7/year, Z = 4.3, P < .0001).
Conclusions
Imaging volumes have grown at a disproportionate rate to imaging utilization increases
at our institution. The average radiologist interpreting CT or MRI examinations must
now interpret one image every 3–4 seconds in an 8-hour workday to meet workload demands.
Key Words
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: July 22, 2015
Accepted:
May 18,
2015
Received:
January 13,
2015
Identification
Copyright
© 2015 Published by Elsevier Inc.
