Understanding Factors Motivating Trainees to Pursue a Career in Radiology: An Interview Study
Rebekah Brawley1, Sanjana Kumar1, Jonathan Kibble1
1Medicine, University of Central Florida College of Medicine, Orlando, USA.
Cureus
|March 5, 2026
Summary
Intellectual rigor and lifelong learning motivate diagnostic radiology training. Early exposure and mentorship are key to increasing interest in this medical specialty.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Radiology
- Qualitative Research
Background:
- Understanding trainee motivation is crucial for specialty selection.
- Perceptions of diagnostic radiology can change throughout medical training.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate factors motivating diagnostic radiology pursuit.
- Examine evolving perceptions of radiology across training stages.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional qualitative study.
- Semi-structured interviews with medical students, residents, and radiologists.
- Thematic analysis of interview transcripts.
Main Results:
- Intellectual rigor and lifelong learning are primary motivators.
- Interdisciplinary nature and patient care role are highly valued.
- Early exposure, mentorship, and addressing misconceptions are important.
Conclusions:
- Pursuing radiology involves introspection and aligning with personal goals.
- Targeted interventions like early curriculum integration and mentorship can increase interest.
- Findings provide insights for medical educators to support radiology career exploration.
Keywords:
medical educationmedical student specialty choicemotivation factorsradiology medical educationspecialty choice influencersMore Related Videos
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