In an episode of The Radiology Report Podcast, host Daniel Arnold had the pleasure of sitting down with Dr. Kurt Schoppe, President at Radiology Associates of North Texas, a practice with more than 200 radiologists in Fort Worth, Texas, to discuss the evolving dynamics of private radiology practice, the challenges facing healthcare systems, and the importance of fostering passion in one’s career.
Here are the main takeaways:
1. Reconciling Profitability and Mission in Healthcare
Dr. Schoppe highlighted a critical tension in modern healthcare, the balance between profitability and the mission to serve patients. He explored the challenges of maintaining essential, yet often unprofitable, services like chest X-rays.
"Chest X-rays are not profitable but they are crucial to providing a full suite of services." - Dr. Kurt Schoppe
He also addressed how some radiology specialties struggle to be financially sustainable within private practices. Despite these challenges, Dr. Schoppe emphasized the importance of taking a broader view, recognizing losses in some areas to maintain the comprehensive care that defines quality healthcare.
2. The Role of Scale in Private Radiology Practices
A significant part of the conversation revolved around the advantages and limitations of scale in radiology practices. Dr. Schoppe contrasted small groups with larger private equity-backed groups, noting that larger groups often have the resources to invest in technology like AI and other innovations. However, he argued that mid-sized practices, supported by initiatives like Strategic Radiology, can thrive by sharing lessons and resources without needing to grow excessively large.
"It’s not about doing everything on your own, It matters who your friends are." - Dr. Kurt Schoppe
3. Challenges with Hospital-Based Radiology Employment
Dr. Schoppe shared candid insights on the challenges radiologists face in hospital-based, multi-specialty groups. He explained how the unique workflows, compensation models, and productivity metrics of radiologists often clash with those of other specialties.
"Radiologists, pathologists, and anesthesiologists live and work differently than most other physicians and they tend to do poorly when they’re blended into multi-specialty groups." - Dr. Kurt Schoppe
He also noted that radiologists in such settings often face unfair contracts and compensation, making independent private practice a more favorable option in many cases.
4. The Value of Passion in Radiology
When asked for advice for new radiologists entering the workforce, Dr. Schoppe stressed the importance of finding and nurturing passion. Whether it’s a sub-specialty, informatics, or a personal project, having a passion can make all the difference in maintaining well-being and job satisfaction.
"No job anywhere has ever been 100% awesome. It’s important to have those little pieces where you get to exercise your creativity and personal interests." - Dr. Kurt Schoppe
About Dr. Kurt Schoppe
Dr. Schoppe completed his radiology residency and fellowship training in Abdominal Imaging at Wake Forest. He now lives in the Dallas Fort Worth metroplex where he is the President of Radiology Associates of North Texas. In addition, Dr. Schoppe has spent much of his career working on state and national payment policy through the ACR. Currently, Dr. Schoppe also serves as the Vice Speaker for ACR.
