Age-related Differences in Perceptions towards Work-from-Home, Compensation, and Volumes for Afterhours Diagnostic Radiology in the United States

Purpose: To assess age-related differences in perceptions of work-from-home, compensation, and volumes for afterhours diagnostic radiology in the United States.

Methods/Materials: Specific questions regarding work-from-home, compensation, and volumes for afterhours shifts were added to the American College of Radiology (ACR) Membership 2022 tracking study. Afterhours shifts were defined as shifts outside of normal business hours, with evening shifts ending before 12am, late-evening shifts ending after 12am but before 2am, and overnight shifts ending after 2am. Four age categories were evaluated and reported as follows: age 35-44, 45-54, 55-64, and 65+.

Results: Of the 1109 practicing radiologists (age 35-44, n=265; age 45-54, n= 245; age 55-64, n= 304; age 65+, n=182) who completed the survey, 56%. 18%, and 13% reported working an evening, late evening, or overnight shift, respectively, in the last 30 days. Younger radiologists age 35-44 were significantly more likely to work an overnight shift than those 65+. There was majority agreement across all age categories that radiologists can work from home for afterhours shifts (54%, 54%, 59%, 64%, respectively), although older radiologists age 55-64 were more likely than younger radiologists age 34-44 to oppose work-from-home (9% vs. 3%, p< 0.05). Older radiologists were more likely to believe that compensation for afterhours shifts is equitable. Radiologists age 45-54 were more likely than age 65+ to believe that compensation is rarely or never equitable (22% vs 10%, p< 0.05). Regardless of age, the smallest proportion agreed that volumes on any afterhours shifts was manageable (24%, 29%, 24%, 14%), with those age 45-54 more likely to find volumes to be rarely or never manageable on afterhours shifts.

Conclusions: Understanding age-related differences in radiologists’ perceptions towards afterhours work-from-home, compensation, and volumes can help practice leaders when calibrating management decisions. The majority perception that afterhours volumes are unmanageable regardless of age merits closer attention, including impact on radiologist sustainability and retention in a competitive market.