Are there predictors for future academic radiologists? A Canadian survey

In 1990 the authors surveyed all members of the Canadian Association of Radiologists and all graduates of the radiology residency program at the University of British Columbia in the previous 10 years. They compared radiologists with and those without a university affiliation to determine the influences on career choice. The factors considered included teaching, research and publication experience, as well as educational background. Most respondents had decided on a career path during the second half of the residency or later. The authors found certain predictors and influences associated with a greater probability that a radiologist would pursue an academic career. For example, academic radiologists were more likely to have performed research, published and presented the results of their research activities, and taught before undertaking the residency program in radiology than their counterparts who were not affiliated with a university or a residency program. However, class standing in medical school and prior educational experience were similar for academic and nonacademic radiologists. The influences most often cited as leading toward an academic career were a desire to teach, the inspiration of a role model and an interest in research. Job satisfaction was higher among nonacademic radiologists, as indicated by the number that would consider a career change. Most of the respondents disapproved of a special residency curriculum for academic radiologists.