Private Practice

[hookaman]

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How would life as a private practice IR be? Would you be able to see patients some days and do diagnostic radiology the others?

 

[Whisker Barrel Cortex]

It depends on the type of group. In most smaller practices, the IR guys do a lot of diagnostic imaging as well. Some practices in smaller towns with 3-4 people have everyone doing everything (even non IR guys doing IR). The call at some practices is greater for IR. You may have to take both diagnostic and interventional call. You are usually compensated for the extra call.

The trend seems to be towards larger groups now, especially in bigger cities. In these groups (can be up to 70 rads), there is a group of interventionalists who will most likely do only IR.

 

[hookaman]

I was also wondering how private practice in just diagnostic radiology works? Are you just basically an employee of the hospital (since all the equipment is there?)

 

[adiddy1422]

good question

 

[Whisker Barrel Cortex]

I was also wondering how private practice in just diagnostic radiology works? Are you just basically an employee of the hospital (since all the equipment is there?)

It varies by practice. Most hospital based radiology groups contract out to the hospitals they work with. They collect all the professional fees on the interpretations they do, so more volume means more income for the group. The group then divies up the income (partners make more than the new guys, senior partners make the most). Many of these groups also own an outpatient imaging center, where they collect both the technical (the fee for doing the CT/MRI/US/x-ray) and the professional fee. Some groups own all their equipment. Some own none. Positions in which the radiologist is actually a hospital employee exist as well, but are less common in private practice.

 

[bigfrank]

thanks

 

[Vince]

It varies by practice. Most hospital based radiology groups contract out to the hospitals they work with. They collect all the professional fees on the interpretations they do, so more volume means more income for the group. The group then divies up the income (partners make more than the new guys, senior partners make the most). Many of these groups also own an outpatient imaging center, where they collect both the technical (the fee for doing the CT/MRI/US/x-ray) and the professional fee. Some groups own all their equipment. Some own none. Positions in which the radiologist is actually a hospital employee exist as well, but are less common in private practice.

Any idea how long it takes to move up to partner, senior partner, etc....or do most new hires get shafted? Fired before they make partner, etc.?

 

[Whisker Barrel Cortex]

These days, most practices advertise 1-4 years to partner. Some of these require a "buy-in" if they own equipment. This can range from the tens of thousands to the hundreds of thousands. I know there are some practices out there that are known to "shaft" the new guys. Keep'em around until they are up for partner, then extend the date or refuse to make him/her partner. I don't know how prevelant this is, but it does happen. I certainly plan on having an attorney look over any contract I sign carefully to try to limit this possibility. I suspect its difficult to tell which groups are good and which are not.

 

[NRAI2001]

How does a rad practice work? Are they refered patients by primary care physicians? Do they only do the imaging and then relay the info back to the primary care or specialist who sent them the patient in the first place?

 

[JudoKing01]

The practice right by me, you can just walk in with a note or Rx or whatever for what your doc wants you to have, then the tech does it, you leave and the doc gets a report faxed from the radiologist. I don't know if that's the majority or minority, but it's how it works there.

 

[NRAI2001]

The practice right by me, you can just walk in with a note or Rx or whatever for what your doc wants you to have, then the tech does it, you leave and the doc gets a report faxed from the radiologist. I don't know if that's the majority or minority, but it's how it works there.

O ok, its not really a practice though right? U kinda just own the equipment and employee the techs. U never really even see the patient.

 

[banner]

O ok, its not really a practice though right? U kinda just own the equipment and employee the techs. U never really even see the patient.

Not sure what you mean by "its not really a practice".

But, most radiologists just read the films as opposed to interacting with patients. Although there are certainly opportunities in radiology to interact with patients such as mamography and interventional radiology.

 

[NRAI2001]

Not sure what you mean by "its not really a practice".

But, most radiologists just read the films as opposed to interacting with patients. Although there are certainly opportunities in radiology to interact with patients such as mamography and interventional radiology.

Yea, wut i meant was that the radiologist don't really control the course of treatment that the patient will recieve. All that they really do is perform tests and diagnostics for the primary care or specialist doc who sent the patient there in the first place, and then relay the info back. They also don't admit patients or do rounds....etc.

 

[bigfrank]

Yea, wut i meant was that the radiologist don't really control the course of treatment that the patient will recieve. All that they really do is perform tests and diagnostics for the primary care or specialist doc who sent the patient there in the first place, and then relay the info back. They also don't admit patients or do rounds....etc.

I disagree wholeheartedly. Any time spend on medicine, EM, or oncology will emphasize this.

 

[JudoKing01]

I think it depends on what area you want to do. But it's as much of a practice as any. Just instead of seeing the doctor for bronchitis I get an x-ray done.