Factors influencing radiology specialty choice amongst junior doctors Poster No.:
R-0110
Congress:
2014 CSM
Type:
Scientific Exhibit
Authors:
N. Maggacis , A. Pearce , D. McMenamin; BRISBANE/AU,
1
2
1
2
WOODVILLE SOUTH/AU
Keywords:
Professional issues, Conventional radiography, Education, Health policy and practice, Education and training, Quality assurance, Workforce
DOI:
10.1594/ranzcr2014/R-0110
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Aim Junior doctors' perceptions about radiology and the factors that motivate them to choose the field have not yet been well defined in Australia. Given the ever increasing demand for imaging services and the changes in service delivery as new techniques and modalities become available, an understanding of the factors that influence specialisation in radiology may benefit educators and selectors to improve radiology training selection and ensure the specialty continues to attract top academic tier candidates (1). There are many dynamic factors influencing specialty choice amongst junior doctors. In recent years, various studies have examined the factors which were associated with radiologists' decision to pursue their specialty field. These studies reported intellectual stimulation, workload flexibility and influence from a mentor as the top three influencing factors (2). Also cited was a growing interest in 'controllable' lifestyle careers. Indeed, Dorsey et al. reports that perception of 'controllable' lifestyle factors accounts for up to sixty percent of medical students' specialty choices (3), resulting in radiology being among the more desirable 'lifestyle' specialties (4). Despite the competitiveness of radiology training positions, various subspecialty fields within radiology are experiencing a workforce shortage (5). Perceptions regarding radiology and its various fellowship choices are important factors affecting workforce supply. To continue to recruit high calibre junior doctors into the field, it is important to elucidate junior doctors' understandings of radiology and to identify the factors that influence their specialty choice. This questionnaire-based study focuses on career interest in radiology amongst junior doctors. We describe the demographic variables and factors that are related to the decision to specialise in radiology.
Methods and materials A survey-based questionnaire was administered to fifty-eight junior doctors. Participants were recruited from a radiology education seminar in Sydney, Australia. The questionnaire was administered using wireless audience response technology in an anonymous setting. The content and design of the survey was informed by similar international questionnaires, a literature review and consultations with doctors including residents, registrars and consultant radiologists. The questionnaire asked about career choice, demographic characteristics and specialty choice influences. A total of five
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positive and five negative factors influencing doctors' choice of specialty were identified and incorporated into the questionnaire.
Results The survey population consisted of fifty-eight junior doctors. Demographic characteristics of participants are shown in table 1. Forty-nine percent (49%) of respondents were male and fifty-one percent (51%) were female. The majority of survey participants (69%) were in their second postgraduate year. Only 24% of respondents had an interest in pursuing specialty training in radiology with the majority of participants indicating an intention undergo physician training. Approximately 60% of total participants had obtained their primary medical degree without having undertaken any prior undergraduate degrees. Of those who had obtained an undergraduate qualification, science was the primary field of study Factors positively associated with selecting a career in radiology included: lifestyle (50%), lack of patient contact (23%), attitudes of radiologist in their workplace (12%) and technical advancements (9%). Only 5% of respondents reported an interest in radiology from a diagnostic point of view. The main reasons for non-consideration of radiology included: lack of patient contact (58%), attitudes of radiologists in the workplace (40%) and lifestyle (4%). Interestingly, more than half of the participants said that the radiology course, which they were attending at the time of the survey administration, made them more likely to consider radiology specialisation. Further to this, all respondents indicated that the radiology course improved their appreciation of radiology. Images for this section:
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Fig. 1: Primary factors for choosing radiology as a career
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Fig. 2: Primary factors for not choosing radiology as a career
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Table 1: Demographic characteristics of study population
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Conclusion Lack of patient contact, attitudes of radiologists in the workplace and lifestyle were significant factors favorably influencing junior doctors' career choice in radiology. Comparatively, diagnostic decision making had minimal influence on radiology specialty choice. Attitudes of radiologists was also, surprisingly, a significant factor deterring junior doctors from a career in radiology. The importance that doctors ascribe to a favourable lifestyle has been previously noted as a significant factor in determining specialty choice (2, 3, 4). Consistent with this, our findings indicated that junior doctors were attracted to radiology as they perceived it to be lifestyle friendly. Previous studies indicate that lifestyle issues impacting on an individual's discretionary time, including time away from family and on call duties, are perceived as the most important lifestyle considerations than, for example, commuting convenience, professional isolation or locality (4). It would be interesting to further elucidate which specific lifestyle issues in particular were considered to be strong determinants of radiology specialisation choice. Lack of patient contact had strong influences on both consideration and nonconsideration of radiology as a career. An inverse correlation between interest in patient rare and interest in radiology has been shown in previous studies indicating that those who are less interested in patient care are more interested in radiology and vice versa (6). These findings demonstrate that an individual's decision regarding specialty choice is determined not only by what is factually known and accurate, but also by perceived misconceptions. It further highlights the need for radiology education to ensure the dissemination of accurate information regarding the specialty field. Our results also suggested that radiology education sessions improve people's perceptions regarding radiology as a career choice. In this instance, junior doctors may benefit from information regarding radiology subspecialties, such as breast imaging or pediatrics, which can accommodate for an interest in patient care (7). Educational modalities including interest groups, mentorship programs, educational sessions and medical student or resident rotations may assist in addressing misconceptions and educating junior doctors as a means to fostering interest in the field and recruiting future colleagues. This study has provided preliminary overview into the reasons why junior doctor opt for or eschew a career in radiology. It may provide a basis for formal research that is required to further characterise and analyse influencing factors and devise sustainable strategies to attract and retain interest in radiology.
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Personal information Nicole Maggacis BSc, MBBS Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia Email:
[email protected] Alex Pearce BBSc, MBBS The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia, Queensland, Australia Drew McMenamin MBBS FRANZCR Noosa Radiology, Noosa, Queensland, Australia
References (1) 2010 RANZCR Radiology Workforce Report: Australia (2) Scott IM, Matejcek AD, Gowans MC, Diet MN, Wright BJ, Brenneis FR. Choosing a career in surgery: factors that influence Canadian medical students' interest in pursuing a surgical career. Canadian Journal of Surgery. 2008; 51(5):371-377. (3) Dorsey ER, Jarioura D, Rutecki GW. Influence of controllable lifestyle on recent trends in specialty choice by US medical students. The Journal of the Americal Medical Association. 2003; 290:1173-1178. (4) Ip SW, Ko HS, Applegate KE. Factors influencing career choices in radiology trainees in Queensland, Australia. Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Oncology. 2010; 54(2):93-99. (5) Arnold RW, Goske MJ, Bulas DI, Benya EC, Ying J, Sunshine JH. Factors Influencing Subspecialty Choice Among Radiology Residents: A Case Study of Pediatric Radiology. Journal of the American College of Radiology. 2009; 6(9):635-642.
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(6) Fielfing JR, Major NM, Mullan BF, Neutze JA, Shaffer K, Wilcox CB, Paynter L, Pisano ED. Choosing a Specialty in Medicine: Female Medical Students and Radiology. American Journal of Roentgenology. 2007 Apr;188(4):897-900. (7) Roubidoux MA, Packer MM, Applegate KE, Aben G. Female Medical Students' Interest in Radiology Careers. Journal of the American College of Radiology. 2009; 6:246-253.
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