Impact of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) on the Practice of Clinical Radiology

Abstract

The speed at which coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) spread quickly fractured the radiology practice model in ways that were never considered. In March 2020, most practices saw an unprecedented drop in their volume of greater than 50%. The profound changes that have interrupted the arc of the radiology narrative may substantially dictate how health care and radiology services are delivered in the future. We examine the impact of COVID-19 on the future of radiology practice across the following domains: employment, compensation, and practice structure; location and hours of work; workplace environment and safety; activities beyond the "usual scope" of radiology practice; and CME, national meetings, and professional organizations. Our purpose is to share ideas that can help inform adaptive planning.

Enabling Your Radiology Business to Thrive Strategic Lessons Learned During the Initial and Subsequent Surges of the Covid-19 Pandemic

“…For the majority of radiology practices, irrespective of whether these were private or academic, or large or small, hospital-based or not, weekly in-and out-patient exam volumes and productivity plummeted in mid-March 2020, in most cases reaching a first nadir only 2 weeks later (3). This largely unanticipated low point presented near term financial challenges for many practices markedly reducing working cash available to pay salaries and benefits, and to provide resources to support staff and routine clinical operations.…”

Strategies to optimize a pediatric magnetic resonance imaging service

“…Responsible social distancing measures needed to be established for technologists, nurses, radiologists and patients at the MR scanners in addition to instituting protocols on use and distribution of personal protective equipment (PPE), with the majority of MR exams performed with anesthesia considered to be aerosol-generating procedures. These logistical challenges were compounded by a decrease in overall demand for MR examinations related to cancellation of nonurgent outpatient clinics and procedures [ 19 ].…”

COVID-19: A call for mentorship in radiology

“…[6][7][8] Such sudden changes in the practice environment have caused radiologists to focus their attention to more immediate and essential clinical needs, thus leaving important extracurricular endeavors like research, conference attendance, and mentorship by the wayside. 9,10 Several highprofile business sectors have recently published statements emphasizing the importance of mentorship during times of global health crisis and argue that mentorship is more critical than ever for ensuring the resilience, adaptability, diversity, strength, well-being, and future growth of a corporation. [11][12][13] Radiologists have also expressed specific concerns regarding the pandemic effects on mentorship in radiology as practices move towards telecommunicating workplace models to practice radiology at safer distances.…”