Comparison of productivity and cost of full-time and part-time faculty members in an academic department of radiology.

PURPOSE: To compare financial productivity and employment costs of full-time and part-time faculty members and to assess qualitative factors related to part-time employment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Financial productivity and employment costs were compared for full-time and part-time staff members on the basis of a review of financial records from fiscal year 2005. Part-time and full-time faculty members were interviewed to determine reasons for working part-time and to assess the attitudes of both full-time and part-time faculty members toward part-time status.

RESULTS: Part-time radiologists working an average 65% schedule constituted 13% of the total full-time equivalent faculty complement and performed 14% of the clinical work at an average of 0.88 physicians' component total relative value units while more than covering their costs. Part-time radiologists were more productive while interpreting examinations of lesser relative value unit value than full-time radiologists.

CONCLUSION: Part-time radiologists are an important resource for the specialty and should be nurtured to stay in practice.