Emergency department coverage by academic departments of radiology

Rationale and Objectives. The purpose of this study was to survey academic radiology departments to determine how emergency radiology coverage is hand led and whether there are any perquisites for those individuals providing t his coverage. Materials and Methods. The authors developed a simple two-page survey and s ent it to a total of 608 program directors, chiefs of diagnostic radiology, chairpersons, and chief residents at academic departments of radiology. Results. Of the 608 surveys sent, 278 (46%) were returned. More than half o f the departments have an emergency radiology section that provides "wet re ad" coverage during the day, and most academic departments cover the emerge ncy department during the night and on weekends. Nighttime and weekend cove rage is handled mostly by residents. Most departments give time off for lun ch, with few other perquisites for faculty who provide emergency coverage. Sixty percent of the departments have teleradiology capability, and many us e it for emergency department coverage. Conclusion. These results can serve as the basis for discussion and compari son with other institutions regarding a variety of aspects of emergency dep artment coverage.