US RADIOLOGISTS WORKLOAD IN 1995-1996 AND TRENDS SINCE 1991-1992

PURPOSE: To measure U.S. radiologists' workload and the variation and trends in workload. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A stratified, random sample of 794 radiology practice groups were surveyed about hiring and workl oad in 1996; 78% responded. Responses were weighted to represent all U .S. radiologists. Types of procedures performed in Medicare patients i n 1991 and 1995 were analyzed. RESULTS: In 1995-1996, the average work load per full-time equivalent diagnostic radiologist was 11,600 proced ures +/- 200 (standard error) annually, an apparent (but not statistic ally significant) 5% increase from 4 years earlier. Average relative v alue units per Medicare procedure increased by 8%, due to the increasi ng role of magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, and interv entional radiology. The annual average number of procedures varied sub stantially by group type (eg, 13,200 procedures +/- 500 in groups of t wo to four radiologists vs 10,300 +/- 300 in groups in 11 or more radi ologists). Within any group type, radiologists at the 75th percentile in terms of workload typically performed at least 50% more procedures than did radiologists at the 25th percentile. CONCLUSION: Given the la rge variability in the annual number of procedures within and across g roup types, averages should not be taken as norms. Contrary to concern s about a possible surplus of radiologists, the workload per radiologi st has increased substantially in the past few years.