An Incentive System for Radiologists in an Academic Environment

摘要

The management of a staff of outstanding academic radiologists poses the challenge of directing highly intelligent, individualistic, and motivated individuals to move in the same strategic pathway. For a radiology department to be successful, it is generally understood that a mission statement, goals, objectives, and a strategic plan are essential. In many industries, incentive plans are used to accomplish the task of moving an enterprise forward. For an incentive plan to be a successful motivator, it must be fair and easy to understand, put a significant dollar amount at risk, and offer a payout that is definitely achievable. At the Ochsner Health System in 2002, all chairs were asked to develop incentive plans for their departments. They were given the freedom to develop their own plans, but each chair was given instructions that 10% of individual compensation must be at risk with this plan. The following details describe a plan that was successfully implemented 4 years ago in the Department of Radiology of the Ochsner Health System.