Evolution of practice and radiologist shortage in an Irish medical imaging department at a tertiary referral centre.

BACKGROUND

There has been a 70% increase in medical radiological examinations worldwide between 2000 and 2020. The number of consultant radiologists has not increased alongside the increasing number of imaging studies performed. The aim of this study was to compare the consultant radiologist workload within the radiology department at Galway University Hospital in 2009 to its current workload and calculate the optimum number of consultant radiologists to employ within this department.

METHODS

Details of the imaging studies performed within the department of radiology at Galway University Hospital between 2009 and 2024 were obtained from the departmental PACS. Calculation of the required number of consultant radiologists was performed based on "countable" and "non-countable" activity within the department and the relative value units read by individual consultants.

RESULTS

Use of CT has doubled with 12900 studies in 2009 compared to 26118 in 2024 (p < 0.001). On call CT has increased also over time. 3913 MRI studies were performed in 2009 compared to 18147 in 2024 (p < 0.001). Increased workload has been demonstrated with ultrasound (13903 to 23805) and nuclear medicine (1468 to 1713, p < 0.001). There has also been an increase in the number of specialist studies such as cardiac imaging and prostate/breast MRI. There has been a 2.5-fold increase in IR activity over 15 years (p < 0.001). We have calculated that 50.57 consultant radiologist are required for this workload, a shortfall of 33.57 by current staffing levels.

CONCLUSION

Utilisation of medical imaging is increasing exponentially at our centre in line with international trends. Current numbers of consultant radiologists are far short of those required to provide a safe and effective diagnostic and interventional radiological service.