Reeling from pandemic burnout and the ongoing, overwhelming turnover of the older generation, the pressure on understaffed radiology teams keeps ratcheting up. More medical imaging teams are teetering on the edge of the burnout cycle where overstressed staff leave, exacerbating the shortage further. This issue impacts patient care through longer waits for imaging, delays in diagnosis, and possible delays in treatment that can affect patient care outcomes.

Expect lots of sharing of stories, frustrations, and challenges on this topic. In the meantime, here are strategies from radiology administrators on the front lines.


Creativity and flexibility are crucial to solving staffing challenges. For one, radiology departments need to look beyond pay. Compensation conversations increasingly focus on non-monetary benefits. Radiology staff want more work flexibility and greater control over their schedules, and some do not want to be on call.

Cross-training also needs to be more prominent in medical imaging staffing strategies. Staff trained in broader responsibilities can help teams find efficiencies by adapting to different modalities. It can also build the agility that allows healthcare workers to respond more effectively to changes, including demand surges and acute staff shortages.

Some medical imaging teams are leaning into workflow automation tools to cut down on labor-intensive manual workflows. For example, an AI-powered "smart" exposure technique automatically sets the appropriate acquisition technique based on the detected patient size. This technology minimizes the radiographer's manual workload while helping to ensure that the best possible image is captured. Room automation features help promote optimal positioning before exposure—significantly reducing retakes for a more efficient exam experience.

A final suggestion from administrators: look more closely at volume patterns, and consider adapting hours of operation and optimizing staffing accordingly.

#3: Optimizing operational costs
Closely related to #2, operational efficiency will be another pressing topic at RSNA 2023. The broader financial pressures facing healthcare organizations are part of the staffing shortage puzzle. Changing reimbursement models and price transparency rules continue to accelerate the consumerization of healthcare, meaning more healthcare organizations are effectively competing for patient volume based on cost. This has also contributed to placing massive pressure on margins and efficiency. Macroeconomic headwinds—sustained inflation, rising rates, and recession worries—all lead to an underlying anxiety putting spending on hold.

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