Radiology

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Radiology

• Leonie Gordon, M.D.
• Spring 2006

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What does a radiologist do?

• A radiologist is an expert in the imaging and
  diagnosis of the spectrum of human disease.
• Supervises the acquisition of adequate images
• Interprets images
• Performs image-guided diagnostic and therapeutic
  procedures
• Consults with other physicians

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Characteristics of the field

• General/Subspecialized
• Consultative
• Diagnostic/Therapeutic
• Acute/Chronic
• Simple/Complex
• Old/Young
• Outpatient/Inpatient
• Urban/Rural
• Academic/Community

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Attractions/Pros

• Diversity of disease and patients
• Diagnosis
• Cutting edge of technology- always changing
• Intellectual Challenge - never boring
• Can impact a lot of peoples lives per day
• Do not have primary responsibility for patients
• Peer relationships A Doctors Doctor
• Teacher
• High job satisfaction

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Cons

• Diversity/rapid change can be overwhelming
• Do not have primary responsibility for patients
• Limited long-term continuity of care
• Misconceptions of colleagues
• Not a real doctor
• Not a people person
• You never see patients
• As a hospital-based physician may not have as
  much autonomy as other physicians

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Training Requirements

• Highly competitive specialty
• At MUSC, 475 applicants for 7 positions this year
• Research suggested but not required
• Need strong USMLE scores and Class rank
• Part I scores frequently used as a filter/cutoff
  for applicants

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Residency Data 2004-2005

• 192 Accredited US Programs
• 4,135 residents
• ERAS data - Increasing of applications 1546
  in 2003 and 2317 in 2004 ,2361 in 2005 for 1018
  available spots.Number of positions increasing as
  programs expand
• 2004 NRMP Match Results
• 134 PGY-1 positions - 124 filled (92.5), (86.3
  US Seniors)
• 843 PGY-2 positions - 845 filled (95.6), (80.6
  US Seniors)

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Radiology Training

• 1 clinical year Transitional year, Prelim
  medicine year, Prelim surgery year
• 4 years of Diagnostic Radiology
• - Rotations in Plain film, Mammography, Cross
  sectional imaging (US, CT, MR, PET), Nuclear
  Medicine, Pediatric Imaging, Neuroimaging, and
  Vascular and Interventional Radiology

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Subspecialties/Fellowships

• Nuclear Medicine 1 yr
• Neuroradiology 1-2 yrs
• Pediatric Radiology 1-2 yrs
• Angio/Interventional 1 yr
• Body Imaging 1 yr
• Womens Imaging 1 yr
• Musculoskeletal Imaging 1 yr

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Job Market

• Huge national demand not enough radiologists to
  go around, particularly academic radiologists

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Salary Scan 3/04 Radiologist, All US regions

• Average base salary 309,112
• Salary range 49,000 to 1,000,000
• Median salary 280,000 (Standard deviation
  139,997)
• Average bonus 90,818
• Average percentage of last merit increase 5 to
  7
• Number of respondents 475
• Aunt Minnie.com

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Salary Scan 3/04 Radiologist, U.S. South
Atlantic (DE, MD, WV, VA, NC, SC, GA, FL,
Washington DC)

• Average base salary 322,687
• Salary range 100,000 to 1,000,000
• Median salary 280,000 Standard deviation
  156,247
• Average bonus 78,081
• Average percentage of last merit increase 5 to
  7 Number of respondents 99
• Aunt Minnie.com

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Practice Types

• Academic multi-subspecialists
• Urban, large hospitals imaging centers
  generalists/subspecialists
• Rural 1-2 man group, generalists
• Typically hospital based physicians
• Night-hawk positions
• Out-patient only imaging centers
• Part-time

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Further Information

• ACR.org
• Auntminnie.com
• nrmp.org