A closer look at academic and community radiology practice in Canada

There are two main radiology practice models in Canada. One is an academic radiology practice, located in centers where radiology trainees undergo training and are typically university-affiliated tertiary medical centers with a focus on research and education. The other is a community radiology practice, located in smaller hospitals, which are not main teaching sites, though they may take learners for some rotations and electives. Radiologists in community practices typically have a broader scope of practice and often see a large volume of cases. Some of the challenges experienced in radiology in Canada are shared between academic and community practices; however, there are unique challenges faced by each practice environment and also strengths and benefits to both types of practices. This paper provides an overview of academic and community radiology practice in Canada with an emphasis on their strengths and challenges. It also reviews the practice of radiology as an international medical graduate (IMG), outlining related challenges and supports.