A solid performance in a prestigious residency program could help a new radiologist land a good salary. But factors such as geography matter just as much, according to a study by the Georgetown Public Policy Institute and the American College of Radiology.
Researchers surveyed all graduate radiologists who finished their training in 1997 within a year of their graduation. The response rate for residents and fellowship graduates was 65%, or 767 out of 1172 radiology residents and 540 out of 834 fellows. They reported their results in the May issue of the American Journal of Roentgenology.
They found that four factors determine a graduate's income: · the individual's quality, as defined by his or her training program's prestige and the subspecialty chosen · geographic constraints in the graduate's job search · the characteristics of the job taken · economic characteristics of the area where the graduate found employment
The study was an early attempt to analyze a number of issues affecting radiologists' income. Gender inequalities and managed care were among the factors considered, according to Jonathan H. Sunshine, Ph.D., ACR's senior director for research.
"We found, not surprisingly, that people in part-time jobs make a lot less money than those in full-time jobs," he said.
Academics make 6% less than private practice radiologists, the study found.
"The astonishing part was that we expected a much larger difference," Sunshine said.
A number of findings defied conventional wisdom. One expectation was that graduates from the best training programs would earn more, Sunshine said. Instead, researchers found that those graduating from institutions with poorer ranking may earn more.
Higher HMO penetration in a particular area was associated with lower salaries, while a higher concentration of elderly people was associated with better income. The study found no association between higher per capita income and better starting salary, however.
Although the radiology job market has more or less reversed itself since the study was conducted, the basic factors affecting salary should not have changed, Sunshine said.
"There is no particular reason to think that the broad picture is any different than what it was five years ago," he said.
Newer recruiting tools, such as more vacation time, CME allowances, relocation packages, shorter partnership tracks for private practices, and other stipends, were not included. These would be part of a more comprehensive study.
