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Decreasing rads jobs
Started by Madhatter
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I don't think the number of Radiology graduates is increasing significantly from one year to the next. There maybe a few extra spots nationwide at established programs and some new programs here and there, but nothing significant AFAIK.
I also don't think it's that hard to find a job as a Radiologist and the market (at least for finding employment) should be strong for quite some time. That said, it wouldn't surprise me if salaries come down (which is probably more a matter of when than if). There was a recent thread in this section about the Deficit Reduction Act (DRA) and it as been noted that Rads is one field that can experience significant reimbursement cuts moving forward (not that other fields are immune to this).
My advice remains go into Radiology if you like the field and think you'll be a good Radiologist. If this is the case, you'll make a comfortable living.
Working on Wall Street was, essentially, the pinnacle of success for a long time. There were many years when employees of Bear, Lehman and Merrill would make way more money at much younger ages than most Radiologists (or other Physicians) could ever imagine. Obviously, that's no longer the case. It can happen to anyone.
I also don't think it's that hard to find a job as a Radiologist and the market (at least for finding employment) should be strong for quite some time. That said, it wouldn't surprise me if salaries come down (which is probably more a matter of when than if). There was a recent thread in this section about the Deficit Reduction Act (DRA) and it as been noted that Rads is one field that can experience significant reimbursement cuts moving forward (not that other fields are immune to this).
My advice remains go into Radiology if you like the field and think you'll be a good Radiologist. If this is the case, you'll make a comfortable living.
Working on Wall Street was, essentially, the pinnacle of success for a long time. There were many years when employees of Bear, Lehman and Merrill would make way more money at much younger ages than most Radiologists (or other Physicians) could ever imagine. Obviously, that's no longer the case. It can happen to anyone.
OP, newsflash!: DRA means most subspecialists (not just radiologists) will see a pay cut. Primary care specialists get a relative bump. If you like radiology, it should not matter what you make.
The advantages of radiology should not be the deal maker, but rather icing on the cake:
I doubt will ever make less than a FP. You will never have to stress as much as a new general surgeon trying to build a referral base.
If you like radiology, roll up your sleeves, tighten your belt and jump in. You can't have it all. Want money? Go to the boonies. Wanna live in Manhattan, you can, but you wont be a partner for a long time (or ever). If you want to live in a big city, but don't like the private practice terms, the VAs are always looking to hire. Although the pay may not be as good as private, its usually on par or better than Academics, with a lighter schedule. VA jobs are rock solid... its like being a supreme court justice- Its a job for life. You can't be sued. Health care for life (albeit VA health care). So take your pick.
Look at any of the other specialties. Most specialist surgeons can't expect to get a fat paycheck in a popular metro on day one after residency, unless they are joining a relative in an already existing practice. If they want to make money and not have to deal with competition they go out into smaller communities. Why should radiology be any different?
I have to give Apache credit, although I thought at times he may have been exaggerating or glamorizing his situation - 'putting lipstick on a pig', he knew exactly what he wanted and was willing do what he needed to do to get it- including working where others did not want to. IE he kissed the pig to get his bacon and he sure didn't complain about it.
The advantages of radiology should not be the deal maker, but rather icing on the cake:
I doubt will ever make less than a FP. You will never have to stress as much as a new general surgeon trying to build a referral base.
If you like radiology, roll up your sleeves, tighten your belt and jump in. You can't have it all. Want money? Go to the boonies. Wanna live in Manhattan, you can, but you wont be a partner for a long time (or ever). If you want to live in a big city, but don't like the private practice terms, the VAs are always looking to hire. Although the pay may not be as good as private, its usually on par or better than Academics, with a lighter schedule. VA jobs are rock solid... its like being a supreme court justice- Its a job for life. You can't be sued. Health care for life (albeit VA health care). So take your pick.
Look at any of the other specialties. Most specialist surgeons can't expect to get a fat paycheck in a popular metro on day one after residency, unless they are joining a relative in an already existing practice. If they want to make money and not have to deal with competition they go out into smaller communities. Why should radiology be any different?
I have to give Apache credit, although I thought at times he may have been exaggerating or glamorizing his situation - 'putting lipstick on a pig', he knew exactly what he wanted and was willing do what he needed to do to get it- including working where others did not want to. IE he kissed the pig to get his bacon and he sure didn't complain about it.
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Nah, it'll still be a specialty where you can make good money, with good hours, and no direct patient care responsibilities. Maybe more people will be attracted to Path, but rads offers a way of practicing medicine that appeals to a lot of people.
To claim that Rads would still be ultra-competitive if salaries were to decrease significantly (especially along the lines of 2/3) is a bit of a stretch. I'm sure many people truly enjoy the field, but it's all (or almost all) about the money/hours/lifestyle to many (if not most) people who choose Rads. I'm not even saying this is a bad thing, but it would be nice if people were more frank about this (not on interviews of course).
I'm not saying it'd be ultra competitive. I don't even think rads is ultra-competitive now. I did say it wouldn't be as uncompetitive as something like Psych, which I stand by.
I whole-heartedly disagree that it is "all about" the money/hours/lifestyle but that's a matter of opinion. You're not going to change mine and I won't change yours.
Rads would rebound just like gas did. The decreased popularity would make the shortage and hence demand for radiology even higher forcing the pay to go back up. Or maybe the situation would be remedied with mid-level techs, again much like gas.
Even if a field becomes less competitive (as measured by lower median USMLE scores or higher match rate), it doesn't really affect the supply/demand balance unless positions are going unfilled. I think it'll be a while until the median USMLE scores for Rads decrease and even that is a far cry from a significant number of unfilled positions being present. Lower scores won't exacerbate a shortage.
What he said....
Market forces, supply and demand, etc actually have very little effect or role in today's healthcare arena. Demand is not consumer driven, and supply is relatively fixed -- therefore any supply / demand argument is nonsensical.
You're arguing semantics. It does matter, and it should matter. Nobody is working for free.
We're all saying the same thing.
