After-Hours Radiology: Challenges and Strategies for the Radiologist : American Journal of Roentgenology : Vol. 205, No. 5 (AJR)

November 2015, Volume 205, Number 5

FOCUS ON: Health Care Policy and Quality

Review

After-Hours Radiology: Challenges and Strategies for the Radiologist

Saurabh Rohatgi¹, Tarek N. Hanna¹, Clint W. Sliker², Robert M. Abbott³ and Refky Nicola⁴

+ Affiliations:

¹Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Division of Emergency Radiology, Emory University School of Medicine, 550 Peachtree St, Atlanta GA 30308.

²Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Trauma and Emergency Radiology Section, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD.

³Advanced Radiology, Baltimore, MD, and Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD.

⁴Department of Imaging Sciences, Division of Emergency Imaging, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY.

Citation: American Journal of Roentgenology. 2015;205: 956-961. 10.2214/AJR.15.14605

ABSTRACT :

OBJECTIVE. Because of the increase in the use of 24-hour-a-day 7-day-a-week real-time radiologic interpretation, radiologists more frequently perform after-hours work. The purpose of this article was to examine the challenges arising from after-hours work and describe evidence-based strategies meant to limit the adverse physical and psychologic stresses of after-hours work.

CONCLUSION. Working nontraditional hours affects a radiologist's health, social life, professional productivity, and possibly interpretive accuracy. Appropriate attention to these factors and targeted countermeasures can optimize the professional development and personal well-being of radiologists working after hours.

Keywords: after hours, health, overnight, radiology, shift work, sleep

Acknowledgments

We thank the American Society of Emergency Radiology Overnight and Teleradiology Ad Hoc Committee for inspiration and suggestions.

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Address correspondence to S. Rohatgi ([email protected]).

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Review

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