References and statistics

7 to 17.5 hours

Due to increased demand, 58% of Québec radiologists work 7 to 17.5 hours per week more than five years ago, mainly in the evenings and on weekends, to interpret examinations.

*Léger survey, 2019

25%

This is the estimated proportion of examinations received by radiologists that are deemed unnecessary because, for example, the requested examination is not needed to establish a diagnosis.

*Léger survey, 2019

2,000

Fifteen years ago, CT-scan machines used to produce 10 to 20 images. Today, they can produce over 200, and up to 2,000 images. Thanks to technology, machines perform better and examinations are much quicker, but it takes much longer for the radiologists to interpret the results.

70%

In clinics, on average, 70% of the amount that radiologists receive from the RAMQ is not part of their wages. It is a reimbursement for the clinic’s expenses, such as equipment, employee wages, rent, etc. No other medical specialty has to pay such high technical costs. That is why the numbers that often get published in the media on radiologists’ income can be misleading, since no distinction is made between fees and technical costs.

*RAMQ

$3.54 billion

In 2018, excessive wait times for radiology services cost the Canadian economy $3.54 billion in lost productivity. Having workers off the job while waiting for diagnostics hurts the ability of firms to produce goods and services, which hurts GDP.

*Conference Board of Canada – Canadian Association of Radiologists

1 in 20 patients

About 1 in 20 patients need to stop working while waiting for imaging diagnostics.

*Conference Board of Canada - Canadian Association of Radiologists