Radiology practices' use of external off-hours teleradiology services in 2007 and changes since 2003

Our objective is to report patterns of utilization of external off-hours teleradiology services (EOTSs) in 2007 and changes since 2003.

We analyzed non-individually identified data from the American College of Radiology's 2007 Survey of Member Radiologists and its 2003 Survey of Radiologists. Responses were weighted to be nationally representative of individual radiologists and radiology practices. We present descriptive statistics and multivariable regression analysis results on the use of EOTSs in 2007 and comparisons with 2003.

Overall, 44% of all radiology practices in the United States reported using EOTSs in 2007. These practices included 45% of all U.S. radiologists. Out-of-practice teleradiology had been used by 15% of practices in 2003. Regression analysis indicates that, other practice characteristics being equal, in 2007, primarily academic practices had lower odds of using EOTSs than private radiology practices. Also, large practices (>or= 30 radiologists) had lower odds of using EOTSs than practices with 15-29 radiologists. Small practices (1-10 radiologists) had high odds, but nonmetropolitan practices did not. There were no significant differences by geographic region of the United States.

Use of EOTSs was widespread by 2007, and it had been increasing rapidly in the preceding few years. Patterns of use were generally as might be expected except that nonmetropolitan practices did not have high odds of using EOTSs.