Professional satisfaction of U.S. radiologists during a period of uncertainty

To identify and explain variations and trends in the professional satisfaction of radiologists.

Questionnaires were mailed during the winter of 1994-1995 to a stratified random sample of 3,024 diagnostic radiologists, radiation oncologists, and nuclear medicine specialists; 75% responded. We weighted the responses to make them representative of all radiologists in the United States and compared the findings with those of similar previous surveys.

Fifty-one percent of radiologists would recommend a career in radiology to a college-age adult, which is down from 65% in 1990 but up from 42% in 1998. Forty-one percent said they liked working in radiology less than they did 5 years ago, whereas 22% said they liked it more. Radiologists' perceptions of managed care's effect on their practice had more influence on professional satisfaction than did its administrative intrusions or the actual percentage of managed care patients in their practice. Other factors associated with decreased satisfaction were increased administrative duties and government involvement.

Satisfaction in the radiology profession declined during a period of dramatic change and uncertainty. Fear about managed care rather than its actual effect was the dominant factor in the decrease. Therefore, it is unsound to predict a long-term decline in professional satisfaction.