J Am Coll Radiol. 2018 Mar;15(3 Pt A):463-465. doi: 10.1016/j.jacr.2017.10.037. Epub 2018 Jan 12. Deitte LA1, Meltzer CC2, Norbash A3, Mahoney MC4, Soto JA5, Slanetz PJ6.
Response From Emory University Radiology Chair Carolyn C. Meltzer, MD
This scenario is quite similar to one I encountered as a new department chair more than a decade ago. An RVU-based compensation plan had produced what should have been an expected result; that is, financially incentivizing clinical productivity would send a message that time spent on other mission activities was less valued. Although RVUs may be easy to measure and thus tempting to rely on, they were never intended as a meaningful assessment of individual professional productivity. In addition to rewarding underemphasis on educational activities, a singular focus on RVU metrics can promote noncollegial activities, including “cherry picking” high-RVU studies while leaving complex and/or lower-valued examinations for others. This approach seems counterproductive at a time when demonstrating the value of our specialty requires radiologists to also spend time and effort interacting directly with patients and other health professionals.