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In our Medical Specialty Series, we’ll highlight the most popular specialties to help you get started as you research residency programs.
Overview:
Radiology is a highly competitive specialty with a small number of available programs and significantly fewer positions offered in the NRMP Match than other specialties. Radiologists are imaging experts utilizing radiologic methodologies to diagnose and treat diseases. This is a hospital-based specialty with many subspecialties to choose from. Radiologists also serve an integral role in patient care consulting with primary care physicians on the diagnoses and treatment of diseases.
—————————————————————————————————————————————————Dr. Harsh Shah is a 1st year resident of Radiology at the Illinois-Chicago Medical Center. He shares why he turned to Radiology as his choice of specialty. He is also a contributor to Kaplan Medical’s Med School Insight and Residency Secrets blog. Read Dr. Shah’s bio here.
“My decision to specialize in radiology is not the result of a single moment of inspiration or the result of a single life event; it is a culmination of a thorough analysis of my skills, passions, and experiences. Having grown up in a family of physicians, I spent numerous hours at my father’s imaging center watching him review each radiograph and explain the findings to the patients. Fortunate enough to be in such an environment, I came to understand the scope of medicine right from childhood. My early exposure to the field was further nurtured and sustained when I began my clinical rotations and observed the interconnection of radiology with every aspect of medicine. My fascination for searching for answers in the black and white, coupled with my passion for technology, led me to pursue a career in Radiology.”
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Residency and Post-Residency Training
Residency training for radiology residency programs consists of 5 years.
Beyond residency, residents can seek advanced training in numerous subspecialties through a 1- year fellowship.
Career Information:
| Average hours worked per week** | 58 |
| Average number weeks of vacation* | 3.5 |
| Average annual salary range* | $300,000 -$500,000 |
Match Data:
| Residents | July 2012 |
| Total number of active residents/fellows* | 4438 |
| Average number of residents/fellows | 23.7 |
| Average percent female | 27.2% |
| Average percent international medical graduates | 9.7% |
| General program information | Since July 2013 |
| Number of accredited programs*** | 55 |
| Length of accredited training** | 5 |
| Match Data*** | |
| Number of positions offered | 164 |
| Number filled by United States seniors | 101 |
| Number filled by U.S. IMG’s | 6 |
| Number filled by Non-U.S. IMG’s | 16 |
| Percent filled by United States seniors | 61.6% |
| Total positions filled | 150 |
| Percent total positions filled | 91.5% |
| Mean USMLE Scores – Matched**** | |
| Step 1 Score (U.S. Seniors/Independents) | 240/235 |
| Step 2 Score (U.S. Seniors/Independents) | 245/234 |
Sources:
*FREIDA Online
**https://www.aamc.org/cim/specialty/list/us/336872/radiology-diagnostic.html
***NRMP Results and Data: 2013 Main Residency Match http://www.nrmp.org/match-data/main-residency-match-data/
****NRMP 2011 Charting Outcomes http://www.nrmp.org/match-data/main-residency-match-data/
^ http://www.diagnosticimaging.com/practice-management/women-radiology-how-specialty-can-bridge-gap
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All of the opinions expressed here are the author’s and his alone, and do not represent necessarily those of Kaplan or its employees.
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