Radiology

Leaving private practice is hard. As vRad’s Medical Director, I interview radiologists every day who are wrestling with that difficult decision. Even in the face of exhaustion and burnout, they run up against loyalty to their colleagues. Others worry about the impact of unwinding their current financial entanglements.

For those considering teleradiology, the thought can seem particularly daunting. Will I feel isolated? How fast do I have to read? Can this really be a stable career change?

So how did those who made the switch do it?

After residency, I was full of energy and had a solid plan: I’d work in private practice and take on a part-time job in teleradiology. At the time, vRad was great but in my mind, it was a means to an end—paying off my student loans. That arrangement worked very well, and through remote radiology I was debt-free in less than a year. With my goal accomplished I left vRad behind to focus on my private radiology practice.

Earlier in my career, I had accepted that reading on a disjointed and inefficient platform was normal. There I was, Dictaphone in hand, bouncing between workstations, proofreading my dictations line-by-line. It wasn’t until I started working on the vRad Platform that I truly realized how a platform could work for ME. I can honestly say I will never go back to reading on any other platform.

For radiologists, finding time for personal interests can be challenging. However, Dr. Maryellyn Gilfeather has leveraged vRad’s flexible and predictable work schedules to blend a successful career with a remarkable passion for running.

With an extraordinary record of over 300 marathons, including more than 50 since joining vRad in 2019, Dr. Gilfeather embodies the work-life balance that vRad strives to offer. Her journey through marathons is as diverse as the locations she’s run, from energetic urban races to Antarctica.

Dr. Gilfeather’s experience demonstrates how working at vRad opens doors for personal fulfillment in a demanding field. I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Dr. Gilfeather as her medical services liaison at vRad. I sat down with her recently to hear more about her fascinating story of 300+ marathons.

How well does your workstation and platform meet your needs to work efficiently, effectively, and without frustration?

In my five years working with radiologists as a trainer on the vRad platform, I observed a wide range of needs and backgrounds. This experience highlighted a critical, yet often overlooked, aspect in our field: the need for accessible workstations tailored for radiologists with disabilities or other physical limitations. This includes radiologists with pre-existing accessibility needs, those who experience an unexpected health event, and those who may develop long-term issues such as a repetitive motion disorder.

This is the first in a series of blog posts we’re calling “@vRad” where radiologists can get a sneak peek behind the curtain to see what it’s like to read as a vRad radiologist. 

As radiologic systems trainers at vRad, my partner and I are responsible for training all new radiologists on our system during their onboarding. In other words, we know the system like the back of our hands.

Today’s topic is radiologist safety nets. What do I mean by this? In a nutshell, a safety net is something that helps radiologists in their day-to-day work like automated reminders for key information or technology features to minimize errors. Let’s look at 12 safety nets vRad has put in place for our radiologists.

The thought of missing a critical finding can strike fear in the heart of even the most seasoned radiologist. So, when I’m asked which findings are most commonly missed, I don’t hesitate to answer. The most-missed findings that can lead to a devastating patient care outcome, or are most likely to land you in court, are spinal epidural abscesses, aortic dissection, ischemic bowel, intracranial hemorrhage and pulmonary embolism. The first three are most likely to result in a malpractice claim and may account for 40% of all indemnity payments paid by a practice. The remaining two, while they might not end in a lawsuit, are still some of the most common critical misses. 

The second thing radiologists want to know is, “What can I do to reduce the possibility of missing one of these pathologies?” And my answer is: Develop a solid search pattern and stick to it. With every single read. 

Imagine having a 150-bed hospital without a radiology department. Imagine being an obstetrician in an isolated area without access to ultrasound. Imagine trying to diagnose complex conditions by physical exam alone. Across the globe, medical professionals face challenges like these every day. Over 60% of the world’s population lacks access to radiology services or imaging technology. Many don’t even have access to reliable power or transportation, much less any medical care.  

Now imagine you are part of the solution. 

On May 9, 2023, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) issued draft recommendations that average-risk women get screened for breast cancer every two years beginning at age 40.   

While this is a step in the right direction, I have never wavered from the science that proved the life-saving benefits of annual screenings commencing at the age of 40. Here’s why.