Hours Flexibility

[DrGregoryHouse]

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I'm a third year and I'm thinking of going into radiology. The most important thing for me is having plenty of time off and working half time (4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week). I'm not so concerned about the paycut, I'd rather have the time off. Is this possible in radiology? How flexible are the hours in private practice?

 

[Donvb]

I'm a third year and I'm thinking of going into radiology. The most important thing for me is having plenty of time off and working half time (4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week). I'm not so concerned about the paycut, I'd rather have the time off. Is this possible in radiology? How flexible are the hours in private practice?

For the sake of everyone actually interested in radiology, and Radiologists that might actually be forced to work with you someday....

No, this schedule is not possible in radiology. Go into something else.

 

[asmallchild]

I'm a third year and I'm thinking of going into radiology. The most important thing for me is having plenty of time off and working half time (4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week). I'm not so concerned about the paycut, I'd rather have the time off. Is this possible in radiology? How flexible are the hours in private practice?

the real question is, why kill yourself for a competitive residency like radiology, claw your way through a semi-grueling residency like radiology (radiology call is brutal. having shadowed just a handful of evening radiology shifts, I can still definitively say it's worse than medicine call as an intern), only to wimp out and practice part-time?

if you're not concerned about the paycut, you can waltz your way into a FM residency, waltz your way through the FM residency, and then settle into a part-time gig

my senior resident in IM (probably a tougher residency than FM but still comparable) is going to graduate this yr and already has a job offer for 8-hr days/3-4 days a week/outpatient-only/no call/no weekends/no holidays (yes, the money is not great but that's the tradeoff she's willing to make)

 

[InvitroDerm]

I know someone who went to med school as an older person, did a radiology residency, and now reads scans at home. I don't think that is wimping out.

 

[DrGregoryHouse]

No, this schedule is not possible in radiology. Go into something else.

Don't be a jerk. It's a valid question.

the real question is, why kill yourself for a competitive residency like radiology, claw your way through a semi-grueling residency like radiology (radiology call is brutal. having shadowed just a handful of evening radiology shifts, I can still definitively say it's worse than medicine call as an intern), only to wimp out and practice part-time?

My question for you is if your going to kill yourself for a competitive residency like radiology, claw your way through a semi-grueling residency like radiology, only to short change yourself and not go all the way and do neurosurgery?



Well I like radiology. (Or I think I will, I can't take a rotation in it until next year. I just go down to watch them read films during the downtime on IM.)
What about non-teleradiology jobs? Are their part-time opportunities?

Also how much contact do radiologist have with other health workers? I've run across some pretty malignant personalities (I've seen a pulmonology attending slap a nephrology fellow in the face) during my first 3 months and would like to avoid these clowns as much as possible. I never though people would be allowed to act like they do in a medical setting (answering your cellphone in front of a patient). Does radiology have more or less contact with other healthcare workers than say Internal Medicine or Surgery?

 

[cozmopak]

I saw a job offering a few years ago for a radiologist working 5 days/wk, from either 6am to noon, or from noon to 6pm, no call, no weekends, 8wks vac, 320k/yr. I don't know if jobs like this exist anymore.

 

[DrGregoryHouse]

I just found this article about part-time radiology which was interesting.

 

[krust3]

if you're primary concern is lifestyle, have you considered ER?

work 3 twelve hour shifts a week or stockpile your shifts and get a week or two off every month.

lots of films to read even, even though it's not your name on the bottom line.

also have to agree with the previous poster re: family med. i got a buddy going into FM cause it's chill and he can do whatever he wants as far as his scope of practice and employment options go. hell i've seen FM docs with xray, ultrasound, and dexa units within their office.

ultimately, i'd say make your decision after your cores and radiology elective. Rads is a specialty that many people have misconceptions about re: lifestyle, etc.

best o' luck

 

[asmallchild]

the problem is that radiology is based on repetition. I've seen that residents have felt most confident AFTER the grueling 2nd year when they take call

if you're only working parttime, the question becomes how much can your partners trust you. if you're not churning through the same volume, how accurate are your reads? are you missing anything? what are you offering if you're constantly at home and not actually speaking with physicians?

again, i feel it's easier in a field with less stress/responsibility like FM or even ER

 

[Gute]

if you're not concerned about the paycut, you can waltz your way into a FM residency, waltz your way through the FM residency, and then settle into a part-time gig

The OP could easily have gone to PA/NP school and done the primary care thing if he wasn't concerned about the money.

 

[Labslave]

the problem is that radiology is based on repetition. I've seen that residents have felt most confident AFTER the grueling 2nd year when they take call

if you're only working parttime, the question becomes how much can your partners trust you. if you're not churning through the same volume, how accurate are your reads? are you missing anything? what are you offering if you're constantly at home and not actually speaking with physicians?

again, i feel it's easier in a field with less stress/responsibility like FM or even ER

Your boy retired today. 🙁

Looks like it's time for a new avitar.

 

[Neuronix]

again, i feel it's easier in a field with less stress/responsibility like FM or even ER

I bet if the OP asks this same question in the IM, FM, or ER forums, they will get almost identical responses. The same opinions, such as wimping out, part time means inferior clinician, and good luck finding a job will be levied.

Except then they will say, why don't you go into Radiology instead

 

[asmallchild]

Your boy retired today. 🙁

Looks like it's time for a new avitar.

I know! 🙁

Any suggestions? 😉

 

[arkgal]

Just saw a posting the other day...nighthawk for a busy radiology practice, 26 weeks a year...500K to start with partnership track...I supppose that could be part time and allow lots of time off...

 

[asmallchild]

Just saw a posting the other day...nighthawk for a busy radiology practice, 26 weeks a year...500K to start with partnership track...I supppose that could be part time and allow lots of time off...

I'd be interested in seeing what the working 26 weeks are like.

Are we talking 16 hr overnight coverage 7 days a week? 500K sounds awfully high for a nighthawk.

 

[Labslave]

I know! 🙁

Any suggestions? 😉

Your team is so stacked that you've got options. I hear that Duncan guy is pretty good.

On another note, Neuronix's post is spot on.

 

[fun8stuff]

I'm a third year and I'm thinking of going into radiology. The most important thing for me is having plenty of time off and working half time (4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week). I'm not so concerned about the paycut, I'd rather have the time off. Is this possible in radiology? How flexible are the hours in private practice?

The responses regarding "wimping out" are bull****. It is a valid question and it is not wimping out. Just be honest with yourself and make sure you actually like the job of radiology.... i.e. except for the interventional stuff, you need to be able to sit in a chair and look at films for long periods of time. Seeing pathology in this setting is fascinating to me. However, understandably, some people cannot do this because they would be bored out of their mind. I have had jobs that were good hours, but I absolutely hated them. So, it is important to note that there are A LOT of other areas of medicine where part time is possible: FM, IM, optho, anesthes, rad onc, derm, neuro, sleep med, and probably a few others.

As for your initial question, it is possible to work part time.... you just have to find the right group that wants someone who is part time. As long as there is a demand for radiologists (shortage), part time will be possible. The research article you posted is pretty much what I have heard from talking to radiologists about the subject; you won't make 50% (in terms of salaries or benefits) of a full-time radiologist.