Profile of US radiologists at mid-decade: Overview of findings from the 1995 survey of radiologists

PURPOSE: To profile the demographic, professional, and practice characteristics of diagnostic radiologists and radiation oncologists in the United States. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Questionnaires mailed to a national stratified random sample of 3,024 diagnostic radiologists, radiation oncologists, and nuclear medicine specialists yielded a 75% response rate. Weighted data reflect what responses would be if all radiologists had been surveyed and had responded. RESULTS: Among professionally active, posttraining radiologists in 1995, 14% were women; 12% were radiation oncologists, 62% diagnostic generalists, and 26% diagnostic subspecialists; 92% were board certified in radiology; 48% had postresidency fellowship training; 69% were in a position where practice ownership was a potential, and of these, 80% were practice owners. Enjoyment of work was less the greater the perceived effect of managed care on a radiologists practice, but average work satisfaction was unchanged from 1990. Among radiologists aged 55 years or older, the percentage who were retired was unchanged from 1990. Average hours worked by professionally active radiologists aged 65 years or older increased since 1990. CONCLUSION: Despite the spread of managed care and other trends that affect radiologists, surprisingly, few changes were evident in the demographic or professional characteristics of U.S. radiologists in 1995 compared with 1990.