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According to neimanhpi.org, more than 41% of radiologists switched their practice in the past few years. In such a specialized sector, executives need to do everything they can to optimize their employee retention – including implementing ergonomics.
Medical practices have to bear the brunt of the costs associated with retaining employees, and since qualified radiologists are not only somewhat rare but also in high demand, it is ideal to retain them for as long as possible.
Keeping your radiologists happy and comfortable is key to keeping them from looking for other opportunities elsewhere. In this blog, the ergonomic specialists from RedRick Technologies will show you all the reasons why implementing ergonomics can help you with recruitment and retention.
If you read the study we provided above, radiologists were shown to be switching practices. Researchers found that over a period of two years, the annual practice separation rates increased by 38%, with about 41% of all radiologists leaving at least one job during the 4-year study period.
If a radiologist leaves, executives may have to pay a premium salary to replace them, but this is only one element of the equation. Then there’s the expenses of recruiting, hiring a replacement, and until that vacancy is taken care of, other employees have to manage the additional workload.
The more your employees are stretched thin, the more likely that patient care will suffer. This is poor for employee morale, your business’ reputation, and the overall health and well-being of the patients.
So, how do you go about recruiting the best and keeping them on board? We have some suggestions for you.
The study found that beyond the monetary perks of the job, radiologists tend to leave when they feel they don’t have the productivity tools, technology, advanced PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System) and reporting systems to achieve their highest potential. Radiologists want to feel in control of their success, and having an ergonomic workstation not only appeals to future employees, but it can help retain them.
One key component in recruiting and retaining employees is eliminating the potential for radiologist burnout. According to the JACR, radiology is one of the most mentally challenging specialties, contributing to high rates of burnout. The research also notes that those early in their careers and those late in their careers are more likely to leave a practice.
When considering radiologists who are just starting out (AKA early recruits), a highly stressful experience in their first/second placement is likely to cause them to look for other opportunities. To eliminate this potential, you need to provide them with appealing job opportunities and access to technology to help reduce their stress.
Ergonomic workstations are a highly practical option for medical practices because they provide an attractive edge in radiology recruitment and retention.
Radiology workstations designed with ergonomics in mind can decrease the occurrence and severity of repetitive strain injuries. Repetitive strain injuries are an extremely common occurrence in the radiology field.
According to a study by Science Direct, radiologists’ work increasingly revolves around PACS and digital imagining, contributing to the prevalence of repetitive strain injuries.
By implementing ergonomic strategies, such as optimizing the layout of a reading room, the lighting, temperature, noise levels, and the equipment setup, sets your radiologists for success by reducing the likelihood and severity of these repetitive stress injuries. Not only does this improve your employee’s overall well-being, but it’s shown to have a positive impact on their overall efficiency.
Repetitive strain symptoms are very high among radiologists, especially those working in a PACS-based environment. However, studies have proven that ergonomic intervention has shown a positive response.
As such, radiology departments need to apply ergonomic solutions to their workplaces not only to reduce the risk of these injuries but also to appeal to new and existing recruits, thereby saving money, time, and resources.
Today, even the average person has constant digital access through computers and cell phones to the point that they are indispensable in daily life. This means the average person has an increased amount of screen time, not only for work but also for leisure activities.
While this isn't radiologist-specific, this shift in culture implements ergonomics, primarily for work setups, which is absolutely essential for reducing work-related injuries and ensuring the maximum level of workplace safety, efficiency, and employee satisfaction.
Merriam-Webster defines ergonomics as: "an applied science concerned with designing and arranging things people use so that the people and things interact most efficiently and safely."
Radiologists today spend seemingly countless hours reviewing and interpreting studies on computers, with many of them reporting repetitive strain injuries impacting vital areas such as the neck, back, and sometimes wrists.
These injuries are often exacerbated by a demanding workload, further highlighting the need for ergonomic adjustments to reduce the prevalence of injury and improve employee satisfaction and efficiency.
Implementing proper workstation layouts and supportive devices not only safeguards against injuries but also potentially enhances productivity. As more radiologists work remotely, establishing ergonomically sound home workspaces has become imperative, emphasizing the long-term benefits of investing in ergonomic setups to minimize health risks and optimize performance. However, hospital spaces should also optimize for radiologists who work on site, including having ergonomically designed reading rooms.
In our modern day, radiologists face stiff competition, long work hours, a demanding workstyle, and face multiple potential health hazards and concerns – many of which we’ve covered already. This can cause potential morbidities and mental/physical distress, causing ongoing impacts on work production and output.
When considering those who manage the health of people in society, it’s important to remember that radiologists are not exceptions to getting sick, injured, or suffering from dissatisfaction in the workplace. This is why it’s so important to make sure that ergonomics are at the forefront of eliminating not only the physical challenges, but ensuring radiologists feel their employers are not only designing things to bring in new talent, but to keep their current employees supported.
Radiologists face significant health challenges that are directly impacted by their work and work environment – primarily affecting their eyesight and musculoskeletal system. Eye strain (otherwise known as asthenopia) is common due to long hours focusing on computer screens and PACS usage. This strain is caused by immense stress put on the ciliary muscles and lowered blinking occurrence, leading to eye dryness, general irritation, and headaches/migraines.
Visual acuity deterioration is another issue to keep in mind as the population of radiologists continues to age. Regular eye exams are highly necessary for radiologists to make sure they're able to maintain their diagnostic accuracy. Proper lighting in reporting/reading rooms is essential, with adjustable ambient light to match the screen brightness to reduce potential eye strain.
Musculoskeletal issues on the other hand are also on the rise for radiologists, known in the industry as "computer back or neck syndrome." Prolonged periods of sitting and poor posture do to non-optimized workstations during imaging analysis, along with minimal breaks contribute to these issues. While regular stretching can help ease these issues, it's equally important that radiologists have access to ergonomic workstations designed to keep them in optimal health and comfort.
According to ActivTrak, investing in the employee experience is a proven way to increase not only their satisfaction but also their productivity. While many of their referenced studies aren't radiology-specific, they speak volumes about the present research available on employee happiness and retention. One study, in fact, discovered the most engaged workforces experienced a 43% lower turnover than those that were less engaged.
Typically, if employees leave their workplaces, they leave gaps in the remaining group's productivity. Roles aren't being fulfilled, while other employees have to do more – which inevitably can lead to burnout and a domino effect of employee turnover.
This is why ensuring the employee satisfaction experience is not only optimal in making your workplace appealing to new hires, but it's far more likely that your current employees will be happy enough to stay in the long term.
Knowing that your employer cares about you isn't just good for morale, it's good for employee well-being. In fact, Activ Trak discovered that this leads to employees being 38% more engaged in their work. In comparison, employees are also 18% more likely to "go the extra mile," and 17% are more likely to be working at the same company a year later. This goes to show that keeping your employees satisfied gives them the boost they need to be completely dedicated to their work and their current employer.
For over two decades, the team at RedRick Technologies has immersed ourselves in the intricacies of the radiology industry, honing our expertise to tailor optimal solutions for radiology reading rooms. This wealth of knowledge has been pivotal in developing products that defy the one-size-fits-all approach.
Radiologists are at the forefront of diagnostic precision and patient care, deserving nothing less than workstations and ergonomic environments that enable peak performance.
Workstations aren’t just fancy accessories; they are foundational to the diagnostic and healthcare sectors. Just as a surgeon relies on a meticulously optimized operating room, so does a radiologist depend on an ergonomic, purpose-built workspace. Our commitment lies in ensuring that every aspect of their environment enhances efficiency, comfort, and, ultimately, the quality of patient outcomes. That’s what is important to us.
Join us in elevating your practice to new heights with workstations designed to meet the specialized demands of modern radiology. Discover how our tailored solutions can empower you to excel in your vital role, day after day.
