Offshore teleradiology

Radiologists are responsible for providing prompt emergency radiology interpretations 24 hours a day, every day of the year. As a result of the increasing use of multidetector computed tomography, emergency radiology has increased significantly in volume over the past 5 years. Simultaneously, radiologists are working harder during the day because of the workforce shortage. Although teleradiology services located in the continental United States have been providing efficient coverage until recently, they are now having increasing difficulty recruiting radiologists who are willing to work at night. Addressing this problem is “offshore teleradiology.” With the increasing use of several enabling technologies—Digital Imaging and Communication in Medicine, the picture archiving and communication system, and the Internet—it is now possible to cover a domestic radiology practice at night from any location in the world where it is daytime. Setting up such a practice is nontrivial, however. The radiologists must all be American trained and certified by the American Board of Radiology. They must have medical licenses in every state and privileges at every hospital they cover. This article describes some of the details involved in setting up an offshore teleradiology practice. It also attempts to make a financial case for using such a practice, particularly in the current economic environment.