by
Sean Ruck, Contributing Editor | July 04, 2017
From the July 2017 issue of HealthCare Business News magazine
Additionally, as more and more payors move to these value-based models, the impact to imaging has been people questioning if and when they really need imaging. Utilization management is the wave of the present and future.
Radiologists have also been impacted. In many cases, radiologists are still paid on a fee-for-service model, so on the surface, their financial incentives are not necessarily aligned with promoting less utilization of services. As a result, many organizations and radiology groups are assessing ways to better align shared incentives and collaborate more closely on utilization management efforts. We are seeing radiologists become employees of organizations and/or are seeing new and innovative contractual language and arrangements around value. Overall, I feel that the ACA has really forced the discussion around radiologist and imaging provider relationships. I think this is a good outcome.
Right now, I am not sure what the impact of new regulations will be on imaging. We’re waiting to see.
HCB News: How is your field doing with keeping up with demand to fill job openings?
JN: One thing I’ve seen on a local level is that many radiology programs are struggling. Specifically, it is becoming harder and harder to find imaging providers to partner with to provide students hands-on training. For smaller hospitals, it’s difficult for them to have a disruption of students as they are trying to meet service level and financial/productivity demands.
Are we keeping up with demand? I’m not sure. I have heard that there are shortages of jobs, as well as shortages of experienced technologists. For example, at my organization, we continue to struggle with recruiting experienced ultrasound techs. We find many new grads, but what we really need at our Level I Trauma Center is experienced techs to help train new grads and maintain our high level of service to the community.
What I am also seeing more of these days is a large opportunity and demand to cross-train technologists. Some employers are working to help employees become certified, and others are helping to take someone that’s already here and expand their skill sets. I think a lot of it is driven by the employer as they are pressured to meet productivity targets. But this also greatly benefits staff that are able to become multi-dexterous and able to work in many different settings, making them more marketable.
HCB News: Any news in the field in general you’d like to share?
JN: I’m excited about how much progress our Regulatory Affairs Committee has made in raising the awareness of AHRA to other industry stakeholders and policymakers. It’s very exciting when we are asked to take a seat at the table and share the opinions and perspectives of our members.
