Initial employment experience of 1996 graduates of diagnostic radiology and radiation oncology training programs

The American College of Radiology sought to detail the initial employment experience of 1996 diagnostic radiology and radiation oncology graduates, the actual effect of factors expected to generate poor employment outcomes, and trends since 1995.

In autumn 1996, questionnaires were mailed to all graduates; 69% responded. The results were compared with a similar survey of 1995 graduates.

After graduation, 3-10% of graduates, depending on their field (diagnostic radiology or radiation oncology) and level (residency or fellowship), spent some time working as a locum tenens, working outside their field, or unemployed. However, by a year after graduation, working outside one's field and unemployment had virtually disappeared, even among graduates unable or unwilling to relocate. The Professional Bureau of the American College of Radiology was the most widely used major job search method and drew relatively favorable ratings. At least 15-22% of graduates in posttraining employment had, and disliked, one or more of 11 job characteristics many observers regard unfavorably. Most commonly, the graduates' objection was to having too few patients to remain busy. Relatively poor job outcomes were associated with having a spouse who had to find a job in the same locality as the graduate (only salaries were impaired) but not with other locational constraints, with inadequacy of a major aspect of the training program (as reported by the graduate), and with being female. Changes from 1995 were few, and median salaries were approximately the same as in 1995.

The employment situation is basically stable, but salaries seem to be lagging behind inflation. Female graduates' poorer employment outcomes are worrisome, especially because studies of women in other professions generally find, unlike our study, that women start their careers even with men.