Radiology shows growing appeal for residency applicants
Interest in radiology is running at an all-time high among medical school seniors, according to the National Resident Matching Program's annual report, released March 18. But the good news is offset by a continuing decline in the number of positions available.
Radiology residency slots offered to medical school seniors through the NRMP as a first-year choice fell by 7.4%, from 136 in 2003 to 126 in 2004. The number of applicants, on the other hand, increased from 1708 last year to 1798 this year, a 5.3% increase.
"Radiology has become more popular every year," said Dr. Ronald L. Arenson, president-elect of the Society of Chairmen in Academic Radiology Departments.
The total number of applicants -- including Canadian students, U.S. physicians currently practicing in fields other than radiology, and overseas graduates -- increased by 6.3%, from 1896 in 2003 to 2015 this year.
Even though the total number of radiology residency positions, including radiology as a second choice, has climbed steadily since 1998, the increase this year is a meager 0.2% (979 in 2003 versus 981 in 2004). Analysts point to healthcare consolidations as a reason for the reduction in radiology residency positions.
Young medical students are becoming attracted to radiology because of the its increasingly high-tech orientation, the mounting role of diagnostic radiology in clinical practice, and a pervasive staffing shortage that promises job security.
Demand for specialists, the attractive monetary compensation -- especially in private practice -- and excitement about new developments in the field draw students' attention to radiology, Arenson said.
"Radiology is perceived as a great specialty to go into. As a result, the increasing number of people applying cannot match the slots available," he said.
The National Resident Matching Program was established in 1953 to provide an organized and fair mechanism to match applicants' preferences for U.S. residency positions. It has come under fire for illegally stifling competition and violating federal antitrust statutes, however, and a class-action suit is pending.
NRMP officials defend the organization's role. The notable increase in applicants and residency positions this year indicates a high level of support and continued confidence in the fairness of the match, said James Taylor, president of the NRMP board of directors.
"It demonstrates how important the match is to medical education and sends a clear message to those who want to dismantle the process," Taylor said.
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