REGULAR CONTENT
Final ID
529
Type
Authors
R Pyne1,2, R Andrews3, S Kalva4, E Spencer5, L Findeiss6, A Frodsham7, M Englander8, M Pfister9, E Ugianskis10","1Rochester General Hospital, Pittsford, NY, 2 The Vein Institute, N/A, 3Swedish Medical Center, First Hill, Seattle, WA, 4University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 5RIA Endovascular Center, Lone Tree, CO, 6University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine, Knoxville, TN, 7University of Utah HSC, Salt Lake City, UT, 8N/A, Albany, NY, 9N/A, Portland, OR, 10N/A, West Lafayette, IN
Institutions
Purpose
To define the term 'private practice' in regards to interventional radiologists (IRs), describe private practice models, understand issues and shared frustrations, and identify how the SIR can better represent their unique needs.
Materials & Methods
A 20 question survey was distributed via email to an SIR member database of 3,275 members including all active US members in clinical practice.
Results
Of 467 IRs responding to the survey, 377 (82%) consider themselves to be in private practice. However, 165 (35.5%) indicate that their practice includes the supervision of residents or fellows. 66 IRs (14%) are solo practitioners or practice in groups with non-radiologists. 73 (15.8%) have IR-only procedural offices and 12.5% who practice in a hospital do so without a contract for imaging. Conflicts with diagnostic radiology colleagues were almost as challenging as turf wars with other specialties. The biggest concern, however, was finding help in providing more clinical services. Areas where respondents felt SIR could help more included: evolving to a more clinical practice, conflicts with other specialties, and marketing/outreach. The most important factors for choosing private practice include salary, location, and autonomy to build a practice. The use of clinical associates varies markedly from none to more than five. Interestingly, 167 (37%) of respondents don't volunteer in SIR because of perceived differences between private and academic practices.
Conclusions
Private practice' IR's have varied practice models, but they share many of the same concerns and issues. While many private practice IR's work with diagnostic radiologist colleagues, at a community hospital, and contract with a hospital, this survey is telling in how unique IR practices are as well, including solo outpatient practices, partnering with other specialties, and 1/3 involved in teaching, traditionally thought to be in the realm of 'academics'. Another fascinating point is that conflicts with DR partners are just as much of a concern as conflicts with other specialties. By understanding these specific needs and subtypes of private practice, SIR can play a key upcoming role in addressing those unmet needs.
Final ID
529
Type
Authors
R Pyne1,2, R Andrews3, S Kalva4, E Spencer5, L Findeiss6, A Frodsham7, M Englander8, M Pfister9, E Ugianskis10","1Rochester General Hospital, Pittsford, NY, 2 The Vein Institute, N/A, 3Swedish Medical Center, First Hill, Seattle, WA, 4University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 5RIA Endovascular Center, Lone Tree, CO, 6University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine, Knoxville, TN, 7University of Utah HSC, Salt Lake City, UT, 8N/A, Albany, NY, 9N/A, Portland, OR, 10N/A, West Lafayette, IN
Institutions
Purpose
To define the term 'private practice' in regards to interventional radiologists (IRs), describe private practice models, understand issues and shared frustrations, and identify how the SIR can better represent their unique needs.
Materials & Methods
A 20 question survey was distributed via email to an SIR member database of 3,275 members including all active US members in clinical practice.
Results
Of 467 IRs responding to the survey, 377 (82%) consider themselves to be in private practice. However, 165 (35.5%) indicate that their practice includes the supervision of residents or fellows. 66 IRs (14%) are solo practitioners or practice in groups with non-radiologists. 73 (15.8%) have IR-only procedural offices and 12.5% who practice in a hospital do so without a contract for imaging. Conflicts with diagnostic radiology colleagues were almost as challenging as turf wars with other specialties. The biggest concern, however, was finding help in providing more clinical services. Areas where respondents felt SIR could help more included: evolving to a more clinical practice, conflicts with other specialties, and marketing/outreach. The most important factors for choosing private practice include salary, location, and autonomy to build a practice. The use of clinical associates varies markedly from none to more than five. Interestingly, 167 (37%) of respondents don't volunteer in SIR because of perceived differences between private and academic practices.
Conclusions
Private practice' IR's have varied practice models, but they share many of the same concerns and issues. While many private practice IR's work with diagnostic radiologist colleagues, at a community hospital, and contract with a hospital, this survey is telling in how unique IR practices are as well, including solo outpatient practices, partnering with other specialties, and 1/3 involved in teaching, traditionally thought to be in the realm of 'academics'. Another fascinating point is that conflicts with DR partners are just as much of a concern as conflicts with other specialties. By understanding these specific needs and subtypes of private practice, SIR can play a key upcoming role in addressing those unmet needs.