Abstract
The aim of this study was to survey the current status of after-hours on-duty diagnostic radiologists at medical centers in Taiwan.
We designed questionnaires, which enquired about after-hours periods of manpower support, service content, and related support by hospitals. They were mailed to 17 medical centers in Taiwan.
The response rate was 88% (15/17). Five hospitals reported providing written reports by on-duty radiologists during the overnight period, whereas seven hospitals offered only oral reports by phone, and three hospitals did not provide a reporting service after hours. Those hospitals that were able to provide an overnight service had more attending staff than those did not provide overnight service. Reports of CT scans and MRIs were frequently required in the after-hours period. If emergency medicine doctors consulted specialist clinicians first, instead of radiologists, the requirement for
radiologic examinations and reports could be reduced.
The shortage of manpower remains the major difficulty for after-hours service by radiology doctors in Taiwan. One of the solutions could be that in hospitals with shortage of manpower, emergency doctors can consult specialist clinicians first in order to screen for a need for radiologic examinations or reporting.
We designed questionnaires, which enquired about after-hours periods of manpower support, service content, and related support by hospitals. They were mailed to 17 medical centers in Taiwan.
The response rate was 88% (15/17). Five hospitals reported providing written reports by on-duty radiologists during the overnight period, whereas seven hospitals offered only oral reports by phone, and three hospitals did not provide a reporting service after hours. Those hospitals that were able to provide an overnight service had more attending staff than those did not provide overnight service. Reports of CT scans and MRIs were frequently required in the after-hours period. If emergency medicine doctors consulted specialist clinicians first, instead of radiologists, the requirement for
radiologic examinations and reports could be reduced.
The shortage of manpower remains the major difficulty for after-hours service by radiology doctors in Taiwan. One of the solutions could be that in hospitals with shortage of manpower, emergency doctors can consult specialist clinicians first in order to screen for a need for radiologic examinations or reporting.
| Translated title of the contribution | Survey of After-hours on-duty Diagnostic Radiologists at Medical Centers in Taiwan |
|---|---|
| Original language | Chinese (Traditional) |
| Pages (from-to) | 79-84 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | Chinese Journal of Radiology |
| Volume | 33 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| Publication status | Published - 2008 |