title: Current radiologist workload and the shortages in Japan: how many full-time radiologists are required?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To clarify the workload of certified radiologists and to estimate the current manpower shortages in Japan.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a questionnaire survey for accredited training institutions. The contents included the radiologist employment pattern (full vs. part time), the number of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations and their radiology reports, the number of radiation therapy planning sessions, and the time per week spent for each work activity. We also used the hospital survey reports of Japan's Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare in our analyses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The estimated numbers of CT and MRI interpretation reports and radiation treatment plans that one full-time radiologist could complete within 1 hospital day (8 h) were 19.9 and 1.22, respectively. To complete all CT and MRI reports, at least 2.09 times more full-time diagnostic radiologists are needed in Japan. For radiation therapy, at least 1.23 times more full-time radiation oncologists are necessary at large- and medium-scale hospitals, although the number of radiation oncologists needed in Japan is balanced to the current number.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The number of full-time certified diagnostic radiologists for CT and MRI interpretation in Japan is insufficient. Centralized radiation therapy facilities may be more efficient for meeting the increasing demand.
authors: Department of Clinical Radiology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan, anishie@radiol.med.kyushu-u.ac.jp.
authors: Akihiro
authors: A
authors: Nishie
authors: Daisuke
authors: D
authors: Kakihara
authors: Takeshi
authors: T
authors: Nojo
authors: Katsumasa
authors: K
authors: Nakamura
authors: Sachio
authors: S
authors: Kuribayashi
authors: Masumi
authors: M
authors: Kadoya
authors: Kuni
authors: K
authors: Ohtomo
authors: Kazuro
authors: K
authors: Sugimura
authors: Hiroshi
authors: H
authors: Honda
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011871:Radiology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000078329:Workforce; D016526:Workload / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*