The Future of Nuclear Medicine in the United States

Nuclear medicine (NM) in the United States is experiencing a manpower shortage that is steadily getting worse. It largely derives from inadequate production of well-trained NM physicians. It is different in the rest of the world, where NM is an independent specialty and training is more rigorous. Three suggestions are offered to help reverse the situation: (1) stop radiologists with inadequate training from practicing NM; (2) strengthen NM training programs; and (3) inform medical students of career opportunities in NM. If we do nothing, the rest of the world will move forward, leaving us behind.