The employment market for diagnostic radiologists and radiation oncologists: an update

In response to concern throughout the profession about the employment market for radiologists in the United States, the American College of Radiology, through several information-gathering activities, is monitoring the situation, including the amount of hiring done, job vacancies, and unemployment. To provide context, we compare our findings with data for earlier years and for all physicians.

The American College of Radiology undertook systematic sample surveys of approximately 60 training program directors with regard to their graduates; 3000 radiologists with regard to unemployment; and 400 radiology groups with regard to hiring. Good response rates (> or = 70%) were achieved; separate data for radiation oncology and diagnostic radiology are generally available. Data on use of the College's placement service also are presented.

Among trainees completing a diagnostic radiology fellowship or a radiation oncology residency in 1994, 1% (standard error = 1%) were unemployed in December 1994 and 15% (standard error = 4%) were working in jobs not in keeping with their training and employment goals. Among all radiologists, the 1994 unemployment rate was 0.5% (standard error = 0.2%). Radiology groups were hiring for approximately 1600 positions in 1994, of which about three fifths were replacements and two fifths were expansions. After hiring was completed, remaining vacancies numbered approximately 400, or 2% of the radiology workforce. In early 1995, program directors reported that trainees completing a residency or fellowship in 1995 were having greater difficulty finding positions than had their 1994 counterparts.

The unemployment rate for radiologists was similar to that for all physicians and lower than that for other persons with advanced degrees (1.5-2%). In 1994, expansion positions for which groups were hiring nearly equaled the growth of the radiology workforce. However, 1994 hiring (and vacancy) rates were only approximately 70% of 1991 levels. It is clear that the employment market is weakening; however, contrary to some anecdotal reports, a large-scale collapse has not occurred.