Borders Fall for These Doctors

Services emerge that connect physicians across the globe. Currently, medical outsourcing is limited to radiology, particularly employing physicians through an agency called NightHawk Radiology Services, based in Idaho, as well as other agencies in Switzerland, France, the UK and the Middle East. Doctors work at night in one nation and send images for analysis by alert radiologists based in other time zones. NightHawk fees are $65, much lower than fees charged by US radiologists. Critics claim such outsourcing can lower the quality of patient care, and insurers and attorneys have questions about malpractice liability, noting that agencies and hospitals could be held accountable for incorrect readings. Patients and hospitals must decide if the criticism stems from concern over patient care or turf battles. – YaleGlobal