Future of Radiology

[CaptKirk]

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From those currently in the field, what are your opinions about the future of Radiology? I know no one can see the future; I'm just looking for opinions from people who have a better perspective. As an M3 thinking about Radar, should I be concerned about job prospects when I finish residency? Thanks.

 

[hans19]

From those currently in the field, what are your opinions about the future of Radiology? I know no one can see the future; I'm just looking for opinions from people who have a better perspective. As an M3 thinking about Radar, should I be concerned about job prospects when I finish residency? Thanks.

You've asked a very general question. I can only give you a general answer- future is very bright-- it is one of the most promising fields in medicine.

Unless you are thinking about doing a CT surgery residency/fellowship or pure nuclear medicine, I don't think you have to worry about job prospects... in ANY field.

Do you have any specific questions? You can do a search of the forums or just browse back a few months to read up about the current 'issues' (outsourcing, rad PAs, reimbursement cuts, turf wars). Browse through radiology journals, Squire's, to get an idea of the field and what technology is on the horizon.

Do a little homework and it will serve you well, no matter what field you are interested in.

One final thing-- Try not to call it 'RADAR' or 'RADIO'
Despite the fact that it's a whopping 9 letters long, most of us in the field still refer to it as 'radiology'. If you must abbreviate, you can try the minimalist 'rads'.

 

[salmonella]

From those currently in the field, what are your opinions about the future of Radiology? I know no one can see the future; I'm just looking for opinions from people who have a better perspective. As an M3 thinking about Radar, should I be concerned about job prospects when I finish residency? Thanks.

To summarize, the main issues that will affect the future of radiology are:
-Government reimbursement cuts (up to 40% to outpatient radiology starting 2007)
-Self referral: cardiology and neurology are referring patients to their own imaging centers
-Turf wars: with cardiologists (cardiac CT/MRI, carotid stents), GI (virtual colonoscopy), vascular surgery (interventional vascular procedures), neurology/neurosurgery (neuro-interventional procedures). Clinicians appear to have an advantage because they have control over the patients
-Rise of radiologist assistants: probably not an immediate threat but in 20-30 years it may become a problem
-Advancing technology: engineers are already designing computer programs and electronic diagnostic tools (such as "computer assisted diagnosis" or so called the CAD) to interpret slides. With the current rapid rate of technology advancement, computer may be able to do prelim read in a decade or two. Radiologists will still have to provide the final reads, but the number of radiologists needed in the job market will be less in the future.
-Threat of outsourcing: This may not happen due to liability issues

The bottom line is, do radiology only if you are passionate about the field. If you do radiology just because of the money and lifestyle you are seeing now, you may be very unhappy in the future.

 

[beccas26]

I am a student in Radiography. I am going to get my BS also, but wondered if anyone could tell me the best field to get into. I am thinking about CT, MRI and RT. Hope someone can tell me which would be best for future reference.
Thanks🙂

 

[Vince]

Advice: DON'T EVER CALL IT THAT AGAIN.

I have also heard med students refer to it as "Raids".....which I believe is more similar to insect repellant. When I hear them say "Raids", it makes me want to hit them over the head with my dictaphone.

 

[salmonella]

I have also heard med students refer to it as "Raids".....which I believe is more similar to insect repellant. When I hear them say "Raids", it makes me want to hit them over the head with my dictaphone.

I heard "radi-holiday"

 

[f_w]

I heard "radi-holiday"

That refers to the rotation, not so much the specialty.

At many medical schools, there is apparently very little oversight over the rotating medstudents in radiology. They show up rather sporadically and disappear before noon conference never to be seen again (if you ask them the next day, there is allways some 'preceptor meeting' or 'small group learning' event that is used as excuse for the absence).

 

[colbgw02]

oh come on guys, you must remember what it was like to be a student on radiology.

first of all, you're normally a 4th year, so you ought to be by the pool sipping margaritas anyway.

most of all, rads isn't like medicine, where a student can carry a patient load and write notes, etc. a student on rads really doesn't contribute anything; they just sit there and stare at the screen, not knowing what they're looking at, hoping that somebody will throw a few tidbits of knowledge their way.

and then there's the dictating, oh the dictating. please don't forget to send your students home before you start.

 

[beccas26]

Why do you say that ApacheIndian? What's wrong with Radiology? Everyone here down on Radiology? Not all of us Rad students are lazy.

 

[CaptKirk]

What the hell is the big deal with Rads or Radar or Radio?! I hope the uptight attitude expressed thus far is not indicative of the field. Anesthesiology has embraced its humorous nomenclature (i.e. gas, gas passers, etc). Cardiology is commonly referred to as Cardio... Obstetrics and Gynecology as Ob/Gyn... Pathology as Path... LIGHTEN THE HELL UP. Look in the mirror and laugh, don't take yourself so freakin' seriously. Oh, and RADAR RADAR RADAR.