The situation of diagnostic radiology training programs and their graduates in 1997

In light of concerns about the job market, the American College of Radiology studied the employment situation of 1997 graduates from diagnostic radiology training programs and the status and plans of these programs.

In an April-May 1997 survey and in a December 1997 follow-up, the American College of Radiology asked a 50% random sample of diagnostic radiology residency directors about their programs and about the employment situation of their 1997 residency and fellowship graduates. Of those surveyed, 89% responded. We compared these findings with those from a similar 1996 survey. The test of statistical significance was p < or = .05.

All diagnostic residency and fellowship graduates who wanted to work were employed within 6 months after graduation. Approximately 95% of graduates had positions that directors believed to reasonably match their training and personal employment goals. Outcomes were similar across all fellowship fields except nuclear medicine, a field in which graduates had greater difficulty finding jobs. The completed plus planned changes in program size will lead to a 13-14% reduction in the annual number of graduates. As in previous years, by late April to mid May 1997, 93% of beginning-year residency slots were filled. However, the percentage of beginning residents who are international medical graduates increased. In 1997, residency program directors were more optimistic about graduates' job prospects than in 1996, and there was a statistically significant increase from 1996 in the proportion of fellowship graduates, according to directors, who had found jobs that fit their goals and training.

Unemployment continues to be low. The 1997 job market has improved over the 1996 job market, but job prospects in nuclear medicine continue to be more problematic than in other subspecialties.