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International Medical Graduates in the U.S. Radiologist Workforce Characteristics: Perspectives from Medicare
Ajay Malhotra1, Keervani Kandala2, Dheeman Futela2
1Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging and Neurosurgery, Yale School of Medicine, Box 208042, Tompkins East 2, 333 Cedar St, New Haven, CT 06520-8042 (A.M.).
Academic Radiology
|May 29, 2026
Summary
International medical graduates (IMGs) comprise nearly a quarter of the U.S. diagnostic radiology workforce. They are more prevalent in academic settings and large group practices, enhancing patient access to radiology services.
Area of Science:
- Radiology Workforce Analysis
- Medical Graduate Demographics
- Physician Distribution Studies
Background:
- International medical graduates (IMGs) are a significant but understudied segment of the U.S. diagnostic radiology workforce.
- Understanding their distribution and characteristics is crucial for workforce planning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the distribution of IMGs within the U.S. diagnostic radiology workforce.
- To compare key practice characteristics of IMGs with U.S. medical graduates (USMGs).
Main Methods:
- Utilized Medicare data (2017-2021) to identify and categorize diagnostic radiologists as IMGs or USMGs.
- Compared academic status, practice size, rurality, and geographic region.
- Employed chi-square, Wilcoxon rank-sum tests, and multivariate regression for analysis.
Main Results:
- IMGs constituted 24.1% of diagnostic radiologists, with increasing representation over time.
- IMGs showed higher female representation (28.7% vs 24.1%) and greater presence in academic radiology (29.7% vs 20.4%).
- IMGs were more likely to practice in academic settings, the Northeast, and large group practices; less likely in rural areas and breast imaging.
Conclusions:
- IMGs represent approximately one-quarter of the U.S. diagnostic radiology workforce.
- They contribute disproportionately to academic radiology and large group practices.
- IMGs play a vital role in ensuring patient access to radiology services amidst national shortages.
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