Radiologists say paid family and medical leave a key factor when choosing a practice

Radiologists believe paid family and medical leave is an important factor when choosing a practice, according to new survey data published Monday. 

Over half of those polled have access to such policies, letting them take time off for birth or sickness. However, whether paid leave offers a physician’s full salary depended on the practice type and size, experts detailed in the Journal of the American College of Radiology. 

The findings come from a survey of 422 members of the specialty, conducted last year. Kirti Magudia, MD, PhD, and colleagues believe their findings highlight the progress radiology has made. 

“Recognition and support for this issue is growing across the United States, which is reflected in our surveyed population, with most respondents citing [paid family medical leave] as an important factor when evaluating a job or training opportunity,” Magudia, with the Duke University School of Medicine’s Department of Radiology in Durham, North Carolina, and co-authors concluded. “Medical societies and organized medicine can play a key role in promoting PFML; several organizations within radiology, radiation oncology, and allied specialties have done so, including the [American Association for Women in Radiology], ACR, and [Society for Women in Radiation Oncology].”

Researchers administered the 23-question survey beginning in June 2024, targeting nearly 8,000 members of the three societies (for a response rate of 5.3%). Over two-thirds of those reached (69%) said their workplace has a paid family medical leave policy. Respondents in academic practices (84%) were more likely to report a leave policy when compared to others working in hospitals (67%) or private practice (46%). Meanwhile, fewer physicians (42%) from practices with less than 50 employees reported having paid leave compared to those working in organizations with 50-499 employes (63%) or 500-plus (84%). Trainees also were more likely to report a PFML policy than attendings (82% vs. 66%). 

Magudia and colleagues found wide variation in the particulars of paid-leave programs. About 31% of respondents said they are required to use vacation or sick time, especially those in hospitals (53%) and less so in academia (25%). Another 61% said their paid-leave policy maintains 100% of their salary. Radiologists working in academic (28%) and hospital (23%) settings were more likely to have policies offering at least 11 weeks of paid leave compared to peers in private practice (5%). Attendings (28%) also were likelier to have at least 11 weeks of leave than trainees (11%). 

About 23% of hospital-based respondents said they receive only 1 to 2 weeks of leave versus 6% of those in academic workplaces. Around 41% of women surveyed said they have used PFML compared to 37% of men. These numbers may have been skewed by the survey’s higher number of female respondents (248 or 59%) than men (161 or 38%).

Half of respondents said family planning was influenced by a desire to avoid an extension of training. Another 59% agreed that family planning was influenced by career factors. Nearly three-fourths (or 72%) of respondents indicated that paid leave is important in choosing to remain at a practice or consider a new employer. Women and those in academic or larger practices were “significantly” more likely to weigh these factors, the authors noted. 

The study is limited by its small sample size and other factors. Academic practices accounted for the largest portion of respondents at 208 (or 53%), followed by private practice (130/33%), hospitals (65/17%) and the VA or other government agencies (15/4%). 

“Given that the survey was anonymous, the results reflect the collective national opinion and perspective about the field rather than a specific institution or region,” Magudia et al. wrote. “Future studies would benefit from such geographic analyses and from understanding the economic and career challenges faced by both employers and employees when enacting PFML.”