title: Radiologist income, receipts, and academic performance: an analysis of many nations.
abstract: Background Considerable interest exists in comparison between healthcare systems across multiple countries, especially where cost enters the discussion. Purpose To evaluate the relationship between radiologists' income, receipts for studies, and academic performance across multiple countries. Material and Methods The annual income of radiologists and receipts for computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were obtained based on a survey sent to expert radiologists practicing in 23 countries of varying developmental status. Articles published in generalist radiology journals determined the academic performance of each country. Results Among the developed countries, Canada has the highest estimated annual income for both private ($700,000/year) and university radiologists ($600,000/year) while Spain has the lowest income for private practice ($68,000/year) and Portugal has the lowest income for university practice ($57,300/year). Among the developing countries, Saudi Arabia has the highest incomes for both private ($210,000/year) and university ($140,000/year) radiologists and Vietnam has the lowest incomes for both private ($30,000/year) and university ($6,000/year) radiologists. Total receipts for CT and MRI studies ranged from $80/study (Portugal) to $1000/study (USA) in developed countries, and ranged from $30/study (Egypt) to $700/study (Saudi Arabia) in developing countries. A moderate correlation ( r = 0.482) was seen between radiologist's income and the receipts for combined practice in all countries. The radiology journal academic quotient was highest in The Netherlands among developed countries, and Turkey among developing countries. Conclusion A relatively broad range of radiologists' income is observed among developed and developing countries, which shows correlation with the receipts for advanced imaging studies. Countries with an acceptable compromise between income, receipts, and academic performance, may be the best models for other countries to emulate.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Radiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.
authors.forename: Richard C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Semelka
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Radiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.
authors.forename: K K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Busireddy
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Radiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.
authors.forename: Lauren Mb
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Burke
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Radiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ramalho
authors.affiliation: 2 Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging Research Group (GIBI230) at La Fe Polytechnics and University Hospital, La Fe Health Research Institute, Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Martí-Bonmatí
authors.affiliation: 3 Department of Diagnostic Radiology, General Hospital Ca' Foncello, Treviso, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Morana
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Radiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.
authors.forename: Mamdoh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: AlObaidy
authors.affiliation: 4 Division of Radiology of the Department of Internal Medicine, University of Sao Paulo, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Elias
mesh_terms: D003906:Developing Countries; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D038622:Internationality; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000191:economics; D066209:Medical Writing; D000072177:Radiologists / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000191:economics
keywords: Radiology; globalization; income; international; salaries