A Unique Model of Performance-Based Premium Pay System in the Radiology Departments

Abstract

Pay-for-performance (P4P) programs offer financial incentives to healthcare providers to improve the quality of care and patient safety. Various modifications of P4P approaches have been thrust into almost all medical specialities, including radiology, despite being a referral speciality. This article introduces a performance-based premium pay system for radiology personnel implemented in the radiology departments of a private health group in Turkey. The main purpose of the system is to enable the radiology personnel (i.e. technicians, rapporteurs and supporting staff) to earn more in parallel with the increase in their workload, to eliminate the imbalance between wages, to increase the institutional loyalty and commitment of radiology personnel, to ensure ownership of their tasks and equipment, to build up a team awareness, to encourage further training and specialization, and consequently, to improve the overall quality of radiology services.