Design of overnight radiology shifts – primum non nocere

Overnight radiology (ONR) is necessary for providing timely patient care but poses unique professional and personal challenges to the radiologists. Maintaining a sustainable, long-term overnight radiology program hinges on the retention of radiologists who grasp the institutional workflow and can adeptly navigate inherent disruptions while consistently delivering high-quality patient care. Design of radiology shifts can significantly impact the performance and well-being of radiologists, with downstream implications for patient care and risk management. We provide a narrative review of literature to make recommendations for optimally designing ONR shifts, with a focus on professional and personal challenges pertinent to overnight radiologists and system-based risk mitigation strategies.