After-Hours Radiology: Challenges and Strategies for the Radiologist.
OBJECTIVE
Because of the increase in the use of 24-hour-a-day 7-day-a-week real-time radiologic interpretation, radiologists more frequently perform after-hours work. The purpose of this article was to examine the challenges arising from after-hours work and describe evidence-based strategies meant to limit the adverse physical and psychologic stresses of after-hours work.


CONCLUSIONS
Working nontraditional hours affects a radiologist's health, social life, professional productivity, and possibly interpretive accuracy. Appropriate attention to these factors and targeted countermeasures can optimize the professional development and personal well-being of radiologists working after hours.
1 Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Division of Emergency Radiology, Emory University School of Medicine, 550 Peachtree St, Atlanta GA 30308.
Saurabh
S
Rohatgi
1 Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Division of Emergency Radiology, Emory University School of Medicine, 550 Peachtree St, Atlanta GA 30308.
Tarek N
TN
Hanna
2 Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Trauma and Emergency Radiology Section, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD.
Clint W
CW
Sliker
3 Advanced Radiology, Baltimore, MD, and Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD.
Robert M
RM
Abbott
4 Department of Imaging Sciences, Division of Emergency Imaging, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY.
Refky
R
Nicola
D039602:After-Hours Care; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D004526:Efficiency; D006801:Humans; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology*; D011788:Quality of Life; D011871:Radiology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology; D014940:Work Schedule Tolerance; D016526:Workload
after hours; health; overnight; radiology; shift work; sleep