Radiology

Some radiologists perceive teleradiology as the “Dark Side” of our profession. I may have counted myself among those skeptics, but I now see the light and am happy to share a place among the converts.

One in a series from people sharing their experiences as vRad teleradiologists. In this entry, Jonathon Lee describes his typical workday as a vRad diagnostic radiologist.

One in a series from people sharing their experiences as vRad teleradiologists. In this entry, Jonathon Lee, MD, recounts how, through his search for a more family-friendly vocation, he discovered a trove of professional rewards that have renewed his passion for radiology.

One in a series from people sharing their experiences as vRad teleradiologists. In this entry, Jonathon Lee, MD, explains what he discovered after stepping away from a partnership position to set sail toward a better work/life balance.

Everything changes when you start a family.

OK – not everything – not all at once – but it certainly does bring change.

Let’s explore the story of a radiologist who faced – and embraced – that change with vRad.

Like you, I assumed from the start that a career in radiology would be a perfect fit. I thought I would always be happy with my choice of specialty and enjoy the anticipated rewards of being a physician. I didn’t consider how over time, the field would change, my personal life would change, or what I wanted would change.

Picture this: someone on your team has gone the “extra mile” only to have those solid efforts backfire so far and so hard that now not just your team will suffer, but your company may miss earnings goals and lose gains made in the marketplace for at least a year.^[1]

It’s Wednesday afternoon at 2:59 p.m.: time for vRad radiologist Siva Bodagala to go to work.

He ascends a flight of stairs in his suburban Houston home and arrives in his home-office promptly at 3 p.m.

The 60-second commute is about 60 minutes shorter than the one required to get him to his previous job as an assistant professor of radiology at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB)—Galveston Campus.

And it’s immensely less stressful.

Remember fidgeting in bed, waiting to open the greatest present you ever asked for the night before your birthday? Or how about sitting in high school, nervously anticipating whether or not “studying” paid off, as the teacher passed out a chapter exam? Now combine the two, sprinkle in a touch of indecisiveness, increase the stakes indefinitely and what do you get?