Integration of the Community-Based Academic Radiologist With the Academic Radiology Department: A Strategic Imperative

Academic radiology departments are expanding into the community with deployment of community-based academic radiologists (CBARs). The remote practice locations, unique workplace challenges, and limited opportunities for meaningful collegial interactions can become drivers for radiologist isolation, dissatisfaction, and burnout. Integration of CBARs with the academic radiology department with which they are affiliated is a strategic imperative to mitigate radiologist isolation and potential burnout. Committed physician leadership by the academic radiology department can support integration. Strategies to strengthen integration include bidirectional clinical coverage systems, pairing new CBARs with established academic radiologist mentors at the academic center, encouraging CBARs to serve on academic committees and collaborate on research projects with radiologists at the academic center, and recognizing CBARs for their achievements in the areas of clinical productivity, practice development, community outreach, collegiality, and innovation.