Like it or not, all radiology programs need the backing of their administrators to succeed. Unless faculty and residents want to pay for residency out of their own pockets and manage all the day-to-day issues themselves, it is the only way to survive. So, with all this power in the hands of the administrators, it is no wonder that they can direct a residency in ways they see fit. And they can use their power for the good of the program or to the detriment of everyone. So, if you are wondering how the administration can pull strings to destroy a radiology residency program, here are the top seven ways!
Lack Of Financial Support
Unfortunately, a residency cannot run itself without money. Whether it is the reading resources, Radexam, equipment, or teaching, all these line items cost money. If the administration takes all the money for themselves and is unwilling to cough it up for the residency program, a residency cannot continue functioning.
Lack Of Human Resources
It’s not all about equipment and stuff. It would help if you also had the workforce to make a residency function. These folks include program directors, residency coordinators, faculty, statisticians, and more. If you can’t hire or maintain these folks, you may as well pack it all in!
Unrealistic Expectations By The Administration
We all want the best for our residents. But, when administrators expect to create an academic powerhouse but are unwilling to hire the proper faculty, or if you want a class of incredible residents but are not willing to pay for the latest and greatest equipment and technology, do not expect to create a residency that will function!
Administration Culture Clash/Backseat Driving
Administrators and faculty often have different ideas about how to run a program. Just because you, as an administrator, provide the funds to operate a radiology residency doesn’t mean you can control everything. For instance, recruiting residents from only certain institutions because you get a kickback doesn’t work.
And, just because you, as a radiologist or program director, think you know everything about running a residency doesn’t mean you know enough about managing a program’s business. Spending money without controls can lead to poor hospital financial outcomes. Either side pulling all the strings can lead to a disaster!
No Backup For Program Directors/Department
To maintain respectability within an institution, program directors need support from their administration. They may encounter problems getting a statistician to help residents with studies to meet the requirements of the ACGME. Perhaps there are conflicts with another department overstepping its bounds and using radiology residents for non-educational purposes. In either case, the administration must back up the program directors and radiology department to maintain the department.
Unwilling To Update Old Equipment To Save A Buck
Yes, institutions do like to keep that ancient CT scanner or MRI. Why? Well, it becomes a cash cow when it is all paid off. No more hardware expenses mean higher profit margins. But there comes a time when you are just out-of-date and can’t keep up with the competition. And guess what? That also affects the residency. Residents don’t get the training they need, and fewer patients come to the institution because they don’t get the advanced imaging they need!
Loathe To Adopt New Technologies- Too Many Hoops
Sometimes, you need to adopt new technologies, but there is so much bureaucracy that you can never push the capital budget through. Perhaps the administration makes it so hard to obtain the correct paperwork. Or maybe they only meet in committee once every six months and are not quick to decide. In any event, if you snooze, you lose!
Yes, Administration Can Destroy A Radiology Residency Program!
Radiology residency programs are only as good as their weakest link. And if that link is the administration, the whole residency can fall apart. Whether the issues are financial, cultural, or bureaucratic, each factor can result in the program’s demise. So, when you choose a training program, make sure to look into who administers it!
