Research from Philips highlights the need for radiology staff empowerment and workflow-focused innovation
November 05 2019 - 5:00AM
November 5, 2019
Findings underscore high rates of stress and burnout among
radiology staff worldwide
Amsterdam, the Netherlands – Royal Philips
(NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA), a global leader in health technology, today
announced the key findings of the Philips Radiology Staff in Focus
study. This new research sheds light on the pain points that exist
specifically for radiology technologists and imaging directors
working in the U.S., France, Germany and the U.K., and identifies
areas where technology and informatics can deliver meaningful
improvements to workflow, imaging results, and patient and staff
satisfaction.
Across the four countries surveyed, radiology technologists and
imaging directors expressed, on average, only moderate satisfaction
with their jobs. With pressure on imaging departments mounting amid
rising patient volumes and a global shortage of qualified staff, it
is critical that health systems consider how to maintain or improve
staff satisfaction to help minimize attrition.
“The subject of burnout is a major topic of discussion in
radiology, but there has not been sufficient focus on understanding
the specific challenges faced by radiology technologists and
imaging directors,” said Kees Wesdorp, General Manager, Diagnostic
Imaging at Philips. “These critical stakeholders have a direct
responsibility for image acquisition and quality, operations, and
patient care. As we develop imaging solutions that advance
radiology through improved workflow and efficiency, data
integration and AI, it’s important that we support radiology staff
to provide the best to care to each patient.”
Empowering the people behind the imageWhile
radiology technologists are quite clear about causes of
inefficiency in their departments, many do not feel empowered to
effect change. On average, 43% felt either “not at all empowered”
or only “somewhat empowered” to effect change in their
department.
Imaging works as a system, and it can only deliver peak
performance when all its stakeholders are empowered to do their
jobs effectively. Imaging staff are on the front lines of patient
care and it is essential to arm them with the right information to
enable a workflow that gives them more time with patients. Focusing
innovation efforts in these areas on the needs of imaging staff has
great potential to improve workflow and throughput, enhance patient
satisfaction, and decrease staff stress and burnout.
Efficiency and automation needed to get the right image
the first timeWhen asked what the biggest barrier was for
getting the image right the first time, technologists cited lack of
patient preparation and patient information as the top contributor
(37%). Technology factors (equipment quality and capability,
mastery of the technology, and ease-of-use of imaging equipment)
were second highest (36%). Workflow and colleague support ranked
third (27%).
While staff consider many factors to be important to their job
satisfaction, those they value most involve their ability to work
as a team to deliver highly competent, patient-centered care.
However, various demands for their time mean they cannot focus on
these areas as much as they would like. The report offers insights
from these key stakeholders about their top challenges, including
sources of stress, technology confidence, and communication and
information gaps, and how we can begin to address them more
effectively.
High rates of stress and burnout among radiology
technologistsAccording to the study, stress among
radiology technologists is alarmingly high, with 40 to 97% of techs
reporting moderate to severe levels of job stress. As a corollary,
technologists in every geography similarly reported significant
burnout, with over one-third of respondents reporting moderate to
high levels of burnout. When combined with high burnout levels for
radiologists [1], these numbers demonstrate a systemic problem
across imaging. Across every geography, workload was cited as by
far the greatest source of stress and burnout for imaging
staff.
About the studyThe Philips Radiology Staff in
Focus report is based on a double-blind survey of 254 radiology
technologists and imaging directors in the U.S., France, Germany
and the U.K., and was conducted between May and June 2019. To
download the report or to learn more about Philips’ solutions to
support a precise diagnosis, please visit:
www.philips.com/radiology.
Philips will demonstrate its integrated portfolio of imaging
solutions at the 2019 Radiological Society of North America (RSNA)
Annual Meeting in booth #6730. For more information about Philips’
presence at RSNA, visit www.philips.com/RSNA, and follow
@PhilipsLiveFrom for #RSNA19 live updates.
[1] Medscape Radiologist Lifestyle, Happiness & Burnout
Report 2019
For further information, please contact:
Mark GrovesPhilips Global Press OfficeTel.: +31 631 639
916Email: mark.groves@philips.comTwitter: @mark_groves
About Royal Philips
Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) is a leading health
technology company focused on improving people's health and
enabling better outcomes across the health continuum from healthy
living and prevention, to diagnosis, treatment and home care.
Philips leverages advanced technology and deep clinical and
consumer insights to deliver integrated solutions. Headquartered in
the Netherlands, the company is a leader in diagnostic imaging,
image-guided therapy, patient monitoring and health informatics, as
well as in consumer health and home care. Philips generated 2018
sales of EUR 18.1 billion and employs approximately 80,000
employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries. News
about Philips can be found at www.philips.com/newscenter.
- Radiology technologist guides patient
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