4 factors driving diagnostic radiology profession’s ‘popularity surge’

There are four driving factors behind diagnostic radiology’s “popularity surge” as a profession, according to a new analysis published Feb. 15. 

The specialty has seen a “notable rise” in applications among aspiring radiology residents and a corresponding uptick in competitiveness. The “match” rate for U.S. MD seniors peaked at 98% but has fallen since, hitting 83.2% in 2022, experts wrote in Academic Radiology. 

“Over the past few years, the match rate of U.S. MD seniors has shown a noticeable downward trend and is expected to continue this trajectory. A return to the previously observed cyclical pattern is expected, but it appears to be delayed,” Sterling Lee, MD, and Omer A. Awan, MD, MPH, with the Universities of Colorado and Maryland, respectively, wrote Saturday. “Given the current trend of rising competitiveness for diagnostic radiology residency, it is imperative to pinpoint the elements contributing to its increased appeal.”

The two authors suggested four possible reasons why diagnostic radiology residencies have seen a growing number of applications in recent years: 

COVID-19 pandemic: “Radiology emerged as an appealing specialty to some students, possibly because it involves less direct patient exposure and offers greater flexibility. The ability to adapt to the pandemic, such as remote work, might have been a particularly attractive feature for these students.”

Increasing imaging demand: “To address this, medical practices are not only recruiting more staff but also exploring alternative models, like nonphysician radiology providers and teleradiology. Additionally, the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2023 is expected to enhance the workforce by increasing funding for residency positions. Consequently, this increased demand has created a robust job market, making the field highly attractive to medical students.”

Work-life balance: “The incoming workforce consists of millennials and Generation Z, generations known to value work-life balance. Diagnostic radiology, with its flexible schedules and potential for remote work, aligns with these values, possibly contributing to increased interest among medical students.”

Social media: “The use of social media has significantly increased because of the pandemic when virtual interviews became the norm for residencies. As a result, social media platforms, such as Twitter, gained even greater importance as a means for students to market themselves, and for residencies to share information about their specialty and program. This shift also presented an opportunity for radiologists to utilize social media platforms to promote radiology education, potentially piquing the interest of medical students.”

Given these trends, Lee and Awan believe medical schools must do more to educate aspiring radiologists and empower them for a future career in the specialty. 

“Current medical education provides limited exposure to radiology, and revisions to the curriculum can better accommodate the rising interest and demand,” the authors concluded. “Adaptations, such as subinternships, could serve as enriching platforms for students to immerse themselves in the field, and make well-informed career decisions. Future research should delve further into the factors behind the rise in radiology's popularity and how medical education can adapt to these evolving needs.”