Workforce challenge – Ease staffing challenges

How innovative approaches can help ease staffing challenges in radiology

In the ever-evolving field of radiology, the challenges faced by medical technologists are multifaceted and dynamic. In the US alone, more than 80% of healthcare organizations are grappling with a shortage of allied health professionals, with radiologists and technologists at the forefront of this shortage.[1] Complicating matters further, the current population of working radiology professionals tends to skew towards more experienced personnel who are closer to retirement. The average age for diagnostic radiographers in the US is 43[2], while the average radiologist is 48[3]. Given these factors, the landscape of radiology staffing has become increasingly complex in recent years. The COVID-19 pandemic together with the associated wave of retirement have accelerated turnover rates.[4]

Medical professionals – like professionals in all industries – leave jobs for numerous reasons, from overscheduling and burnout to lack of autonomy or respect. Attracting and retaining the right radiology talent requires the right mix of departmental culture, growth opportunities, operational efficiencies and human resourcing solutions.

Identifying the pain points

The shortage of radiology professionals, particularly experienced ones, poses significant challenges for healthcare organizations. Recruitment and retention in this competitive field requires a strategic approach that addresses key pain points such as:

• burnout due to higher workload for less people,
• lack of experienced staff and melting knowledge,
• lack of growth opportunities,
• and the need for operational efficiencies.

How finding the right solutions helps attract and retain the right professionals

Scientific studies support the effectiveness of innovative solutions in easing staffing challenges and improving operational efficiency in healthcare settings. Empirically collected data highlights the positive impact of remote collaboration platforms on reducing diagnostic errors and enhancing patient outcomes.[5] Furthermore, more research results demonstrate the benefits of technology-enabled education programs in improving staff competencies and job satisfaction.[6]

While the challenges in radiology staffing are daunting, innovative solutions are available to alleviate these pain points and transform workforce challenges into opportunities. Below are eight areas of innovation to move the dial from chasing to attracting the right professional talent.

1.     Flexibility and Remote Work:

By embracing new models of work, radiology professionals can work from preferred locations, providing flexibility to their daily life and improving their work-life balance. Innovative and proven remote scanning solutions empower radiology departments to adapt seamlessly to today’s work-life-balance expectations.[7] For example, the LMU Munich has an employee who lives 400 km (about 250 miles) away in Frankfurt and works exclusively remotely. This new-found flexibility helps to attract and retain professionals to reduce the turnover rate.

 2.     Collaborative Support Network:

By facilitating collaborations between different sites, departments can draw on expertise and education services beyond their physical four walls to create a fully supportive working environment. Such collaborative approaches in terms of remote reading and support enable a more seamless knowledge transfer and skill development across the entire organization. 

3.     Technology and training:

By harnessing state-of-the-art solutions that streamline the scanning process and improve efficiency, the burden on members of staff can be reduced. Innovative platforms allow experts from different locations to assist with complex procedures in real-time, fostering a collaborative working environment. These new tools also empower you to leverage data analytics. Insights into operational efficiency and performance metrics enable radiology departments to optimize workflows and drive continuous improvement.

4.     Workforce education:

Investing in training and education is critical for retaining talent and growing radiology departments. Providing customizable classes, pairing programs and interactive workshops can address many staffing challenges. Building competency is key, covering not only skill enhancement and adapting to technological changes but also the important topics of retaining institutional knowledge, cross-training, quality improvement and regulatory compliance. 

Beyond this “hard” knowledge expansion through training and education, further “soft” factors around enhancing well-being in the workplace play a crucial role nowadays in fostering job satisfaction and giving professionals a clear sense of a fulfilling work-life-balance.

5.     Make well-being a priority:

In a job market as competitive as radiology, issues related to work-life balance, employee satisfaction, and worker engagement are crucial for attracting and retaining top talent. A solid foundation for success lies in cultivating a culture of employee well-being, rooted in inclusivity, creating a flexible working environment and providing growth opportunities. The industry I work in faces the same challenges and we are also focusing on being a good employer and empowering your employees to have a good work-life balance. Be an attractive employer and have a sense of purpose for yourself and your work and show it in your interactions with the people you work with.

6.     Stand out:

In a competitive job market, streamlining hiring processes and providing an attractive working environment can make the difference between having an effective and efficient team or an understaffed one. Positioning your facility as modern and welcoming can attract top talent. Increase the attractiveness of your workplace by investing in innovative technologies and the development of staff as outlined above.

7.     Beat burnout:

Post-pandemic reality: Today, most patients are back to using radiology procedures and services, creating an influx of demand that many facilities struggle to keep up with. Especially those who lack proper, full-time staff.[8] Situations like this can delay patients’ treatments, strain relationships with clinical partners and place increased pressure on already overburdened personnel.

Preventing burnout by focusing on areas like smarter allocation, consistently flexible approaches, and dedicated dialogue can boost staff morale and reduce burnout.

8.     Quick wins:

Here are some additional quick wins that can help you ease staffing challenges:

• Partnering with the right vendor or agency offering short-term staffing solutions not only helps you address immediate needs but also builds strong relationships with people who may become longer-term team members in the future. Technologist Alex Smith is one such example, offering support where it is needed most.
• Investing in a partner with solutions proven to help train and educate staff, improve operational workflows and provide more flexible working environments can help attract and retain the best possible team.
• Covering unexpected and temporary staff shortages with agile staffing solutions can support your department’s operations and help minimize disruptions to patient care.

Transforming workforce challenges into opportunities in radiology

By implementing innovative solutions and adopting a strategic approach focused on employee well-being, professional development and operational efficiency, radiology departments can overcome staffing challenges and achieve long-term sustainability.

Transforming radiology workforce challenges into opportunities requires a strategic approach that prioritizes flexibility, innovation and collaboration. By collaborating with the right partners and leveraging tailored solutions, radiology departments can overcome obstacles, enhance staff satisfaction and thereby deliver better patient outcomes. For more information, reach out to your local Siemens Healthineers experts.

[1] “Radiology Techs in Especially High Demand as 85% of Hospitals Seek “Allied” Health Workers.” Radiologybusiness.com, radiologybusiness.com/topics/healthcare-management/healthcare-staffing/radiology-techs-especially-high-demand-85

[2] “Radiologist Demographics and Statistics [2021]: Number of Radiologists in the US.” www.zippia.com, 29 Jan.2021, www.zippia.com/radiologist-jobs/demographics/.

[3] Staff Radiologic Technologist Demographics and Statistics [2022]: Number of Staff Radiologic Technologists in the US.” www.zippia.com, 29 Jan. 2021, www.zippia.com/staff-radiologic-technologist-jobs/demographics/

[4] N. De Vries et al. “Retaining Healthcare Workers: A Systematic Review of Strategies for Sustaining Power in the Workplace.” Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) vol. 11,13 1887. 29 Jun. 2023, doi:10.3390/healthcare11131887

[5] Diagnostic Error, the Internet, and Collaboration in Global Health - BMJ Case Reports blog

[6] Nursing workforce competencies and job satisfaction: the role of technology integration, self-efficacy, social support, and prior experience | BMC Nursing | Full Text (biomedcentral.com)

[7] American Hospital Association, 5 Things Gen Z Health Care Workers Want (accessed 18.12.2023)

[8] The Radiology Labor Shortage. www.acr.org, www.acr.org/Practice-Management-Quality-Informatics/ACR-Bulletin/Articles/March-2022/The-Radiology-Labor-Shortage