Dodd and Fletcher Advocate “Team Approach” to Addressing Academic Radiology Crisis
In August 2005, ACR Fellows Thomas Fletcher, M.D., and Gerald Dodd III, M.D., were asked by the College leadership to co-chair a task force to investigate and prioritize realistic alternatives for associations between private practices and academic practices. The ultimate goal would be to enhance the research and educational goals of academic radiology and the profession. Nearly two years later, armed with an action plan, Fletcher and Dodd are speaking to state chapters and large practices around the country to foster new partnerships between local radiology practices and academic institutions.
A recent survey of academic radiology department chairs by the Academic Private Practice Alliance reported that up to 50 percent of radiology departments are under-funded and under-staffed with little support from the states or even from the medical schools. Moreover, the survey suggests that one quarter of our country’s academic departments are on the brink of insolvency.
“We in private practice have witnessed a surge of interest from other specialties into the ownership of diagnostic imaging equipment for obvious financial rewards,” Fletcher noted recently. “My concern is that radiologists could become disenfranchised from our own discipline if our research enterprise forfeits to competing medical specialties.”
A 2006 ACR policy statement called for the creation of a committee to boost awareness of the importance of service, education, and research provided by academic radiology programs. The committee’s aim was a cooperative and noncompetitive effort to elicit support of academic radiology and create regional alliances between academic radiology departments and private practice groups.
Since its formation, the committee has worked diligently to begin a dialogue with both national and local groups to focus on this emerging issue, with Dodd and Fletcher taking the message directly to the ACR membership. They emphasize that radiology’s long-term viability is inextricably linked to continued quality research by professional radiologists, as well as the education of current and future radiologists in the new clinical applications resulting from that research.
Dodd and Fletcher will be featured during the State Chapter Forum on May 19 during this year’s AMCLC in Washington, DC. They also are available to speak to chapters or large radiology practices who want to know more about this issue and how they can do their part.
Look for a more in-depth report on Dodd and Fletcher’s efforts on this critical topic in the May issue of the ACR Bulletin