Interventional radiologist burnout and retention in rural areas largely related to administrative burdens
The increasing shortage of interventional radiologists (IRs) in rural areas has been largely attributed to administrative burdens and burnout, according to Elizabeth Ann Ignacio, MD, FSIR, FACR. As the chair of the Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) Small and Rural Practices Committee and president of the Hawaii Medical Association, Ignacio is at the forefront of addressing the challenges facing rural healthcare providers.
Ignacio spoke to Health Imaging in an interview where she highlighted several factors contributing to burnout and the reluctance of interventional radiologists to practice in rural settings. While there is an overall growing shortage of IRs, rural markets and areas with substantial health disparities by far haver the biggest shortages today. She said burnout rates in these areas are much higher in these areas due to the lack of resources.
"A significant part of burnout stems from the overwhelming administrative burden," she explained. "This includes the extensive red tape involved in obtaining prior authorizations for procedures, which serves as a major barrier to patient care."
Ignacio pointed out that while many assume that specialty medicine, such as interventional radiology, is less impacted by administrative tasks compared to primary care, this is a misconception. "We face substantial administrative challenges, particularly in smaller hospitals where the infrastructure and support staff are limited," she noted. The lack of adequate administrative staff, coupled with lower patient volumes and insufficient reimbursement, further exacerbates the issue.
The challenges of practicing in rural areas extend beyond administrative burdens. Ignacio emphasized that the financial viability of providing interventional radiology services in these regions is a growing concern.
"Reimbursement rates often fail to account for the rising costs of living and inflation," she said. "In some cases, even if reimbursements are reasonable, practices may struggle to break even due to the high costs associated with delivering these services."
The shortage of skilled support personnel, such as technologists and nurses, also impacts the ability to deliver high-quality care in rural settings. Ignacio stressed the importance of addressing these systemic issues to retain and attract interventional radiologists to these underserved areas.
Despite the challenges, Ignacio remains optimistic about the future of interventional radiology.
"There is so much innovation happening in our field, and I'm excited about the potential for growth," she said.
However, she acknowledged that organizations like SIR and other medical bodies must continue to advocate for policy changes that support the sustainability of interventional radiology in rural areas.
There is a growing shortage of radiologists overall and IRs in particular in rural America. Ignacio explains other issues related to the shortage and possible solutions in the video How to address the shortage of interventional radiologists.
Dave Fornell has covered healthcare for more than 17 years, with a focus in cardiology and radiology. Fornell is a 5-time winner of a Jesse H. Neal Award, the most prestigious editorial honors in the field of specialized journalism. The wins included best technical content, best use of social media and best COVID-19 coverage. Fornell was also a three-time Neal finalist for best range of work by a single author. He produces more than 100 editorial videos each year, most of them interviews with key opinion leaders in medicine. He also writes technical articles, covers key trends, conducts video hospital site visits, and is very involved with social media. E-mail: dfornell@innovatehealthcare.com