Update on the diagnostic radiologist shortage.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study is to present the latest information available on the shortage of diagnostic radiologists.


METHODS
Four sources of information are available, and we present their data: first, the number of jobs for diagnostic radiologists advertised in Radiology and the American Journal of Roentgenology; second, vacancies in academic radiology departments as of July 1, 2003, ascertained by a survey of these departments; third, the ratio of job listings to job seekers at a major professional placement service, the Professional Bureau of the American College of Radiology (ACR); and fourth, diagnostic radiologists' self-reported workload burden, from the ACR's 2003 Survey of Diagnostic Radiologists.


RESULTS
Jobs advertised in September-November 2003 (latest data available) were 28% fewer than in the same months of 2002. Vacancies per department averaged 3.9 in 2003, compared with 5.4 in 2001 and 5.1 in 2002. Listings per seeker were 1.4 in 2002 (latest data available) compared with 3.0 or more in 1999 and 2000. Responses to a question directly tying changes in workload to changes in income indicated that reported desires for workload reduction and workload increase were approximately equal.


CONCLUSIONS
All four information sources have important limitations, but all indicate that the shortage has considerably eased. We plan to study the causes of this easing and continue to monitor the situation.
Sunshine
Jonathan H
JH
Research Department, American College of Radiology, 1891 Preston White Dr, Reston, VA 20191, USA. jonathans@acr.org
Maynard
C Douglas
CD
Paros
Joan
J
Forman
Howard P
HP
D000046:Academic Medical Centers; D000329:Advertising / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007586:Job Application; D010506:Periodicals as Topic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011871:Radiology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends; D014481:United States; D000078329:Workforce; D016526:Workload / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*