diag. rads positions on the decline?

[filmdoc26]

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So I got my hands on Iserson's, and he says that available positions for diagnostic radiologists is declining every year, forcing some people to seek fellowships to get an edge on their CVs. Is this true? If so, why the downward trend?

 

[UMU2004]

What edition of Iserson's is that? Last I knew, the number of positions decreased many years ago, but recently the number has been going back up. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[filmdoc26]

It's the latest edition, the sixth, page 95:

"The number of available diagnostic radiology positions for residency graduates is decreasing each year. Many residents are gaining an employment edge by taking one-year fellowships in [such and such subspecialties of radiology]."

 

[doepug]

That information is completely outdated.

The job market for radiology is tremendous right now. There is a huge demand, and not enough radiologists to go around. You should see some of the packages (salary/vacation/perks) that people are being offered. It is truly mind-boggling. Clinicians are ordering imaging studies at an increasing (alarming?) rate, which is generating a lot of business. This isn't likely to slow down anytime soon, and as long as the standard of care mandates that films be read by a radiologist, the field will be lucrative.

Fellowships are common, especially for residents trained in a university setting, but they are not required for general (i.e. non-interventional) radiologists. Most fellowships only last one year, so aside from putting off a potential influx of cash, the marginal cost of another year of training is pretty low.

The future of radiology is bright. Iserson is full of crap.

 

[filmdoc26]

I've had my doubts about Iserson on this point, but - just curious - where are you getting the info about rads? thanks.

 

[doepug]

Originally posted by filmdoc26
I've had my doubts about Iserson on this point, but - just curious - where are you getting the info about rads? thanks.

My info comes from:

attendings/residents at my institution
attendings/residents/program directors on the interview trail
radiology journals - several recent articles....
mail I get from headhunters for being a member of RSNA and SIR
auntminnie.com and SDN

It's no secret that radiologists are in such high demand. Ask the fourth years at your school -- they can fill you in on some of the details.

 

[Whisker Barrel Cortex]

Yeah, Iserson's is a few year behind the times to say the least. Most people do fellowships but that is not because they can't find a job, its so they are experts in a field and more marketable in the future, in case the market does go bad. There are some people who are interviewing for positions in their R2 year for positions that they would not be able to fill for another 2 and 1/2 years!

 

[txrad]

Iserson's is soooooo.... outdated. That info was true for 1995-98 period. Since about 1999, the jobs have skyrocketed in radiology. The biggest problem with books like Iserson's is that it gives such a misleading (totally opposite) info that they are dangerous. You've got to do your own research.

 

[Primate]

An important point is that a pendulum swings both ways. Always a good idea to at least like what you're doing, as the honey pot may not be as full in the future.

That said, and off topic a bit, we had radiology rounds today (medicine clerkship) - very cool.

That is all.

P