Radiology departments face gaps in family medical leave policies

A recent study in the Journal of the American College of Radiology (JACR®) suggests that paid family and medical leave (PFML) policies offered by U.S. academic and radiation oncology programs, while widely available, are implemented inconsistently across programs.

Study authors, in collaboration with the Society of Chairs of Academic Radiology Departments and the Society of Chairs of Academic Radiation Oncology Programs, conducted an anonymous survey of department chairs from academic radiology and radiation oncology programs across the United States from June to July 2025.

Study findings indicate that PFML policies are widely available within academic radiology and radiation oncology departments of all specialties, geographic regions and department sizes. However, author Kirti Magudia, MD, PhD, assistant professor of radiology at Duke University, says a significant number of programs surveyed require the use of vacation or sick time with variable allowance for noncontiguous leave or promotion clock extension.

Magudia and her colleagues also found substantial concerns remain regarding clinical coverage, and most respondents report that fewer than 10% of faculty utilized leave the previous year.

According to Magudia, the study findings highlight a gap between PFML policy and real-world implementation.

Paid family and medical leave is an important workplace benefit that all radiologists and radiation oncologists can be expected to use during their career. While these results are promising, my hope is that these policies will continue to improve to support the wellness of our workforce."

Kirti Magudia, MD, PhD, assistant professor of radiology, Duke University