Survey explores radiology resident pay and their wish list for training programs
Results from a new survey published April 19 explore what radiology residents are looking for in a training program and whether medical institutions are meeting the call.
Residency programs typically offer a diverse range of benefits, which can vary significantly between institutions and among different medical specialties in the same organization. These perks can be “instrumental” in helping attract residents, ensure their satisfaction and reduce burnout, experts write in Current Problems in Diagnostic Radiology.
Researchers recently explored some of these variations, distributing an 18-question survey across 192 programs in the U.S. Postgraduate year 2 radiology residents’ stipends ranged from less than $45,000 to over $65,000, with statistically significant differences based on region.
“Geographic and program-specific stipend variations underscore the importance of establishing stipend compensation at par with cost-of-living expenses,” lead author Muhammad “Yahya” Hameed, a radiology resident with the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Medicine, and colleagues advised. “Comprehensive knowledge of the trends and variation in residency benefits could guide program enhancements, with the overarching goal of supplementing current stipends to enhance resident satisfaction and well-being.”
A total of 50 radiology resident programs responded to the survey, administered in March 2023, for a response rate of 26%. These included 22 in the South, 12 in the Midwest, 11 in the Northeast and 6 in the West. About 15 of the 50 programs surveyed offered more than $65,000, and higher stipends were predominantly found in the Northeast and West, likely reflecting higher cost of living in those areas. The type of residency program also played a role in pay variation. Respondents included 42 university-based programs, 7 situated in communities, 2 hybrid and 1 military. University-based programs mostly offered higher stipends of more than $55,000, while community and hybrid programs “are also represented in these brackets but to a lesser extent.”
Meanwhile, programs surveyed offered an assortment of other benefits to radiology residents. About 58% provided a dedicated educational fund and 95% covered costs for the American Institute for Radiologic Pathology course. Another 45% offered research funding and 65% had dedicated board funds for residents. About 56% covered costs for state medical licensing, 32% DEA licensure, and 59% fees for the American Board of Radiology exam.
There also was wide variation in programs offering time off. About 86% provided conference leave, with many additionally covering registration, travel and accommodations. Vacation time ranged from 3 to 5 weeks, and about 54% offered four weeks or more. Parental leave was universally granted across all programs, and sick leave generally ranged from 5 to 15 days. Another 80% gave residents comprehensive health coverage including dental and vision, and 12% granted partial health coverage, asking residents to pay additional premiums for dental and vision.
Hameed and co-authors suggested a potential “wish list” of resident benefits, noting: “There are several opportunities to improve trainee satisfaction and well-being by addressing key areas of need.” Their suggestions included:
- Ensuring that salaries keep pace with inflation, given rising costs in today’s economy.
- Expanding on parental leave policies by offering subsidized childcare or dedicated daycare facilities to “ease the burden on residents with families.”
- Addressing other logistical financial barriers, such as visa processing fees for international trainees.
- Providing essential supplies such as laptops, lab coats, lead aprons, scrubs and meal stipends.
- Strengthening educational and research support by fully reimbursing costs tied to travel, poster printing and publication.
- Offering wellness-focused initiatives such as dedicated half days and team-building activities including resident retreats.
“Future areas of research include residency benefits that contribute to quality of life but are often overlooked, such as paternity/maternity leave specifics, conference funding requirements, meal and parking stipends, and unique perks like wellness funds, gym memberships, housing subsidies, retirement plans, ADA accommodations, and childcare support,” the authors concluded. “These areas, including bonus benefits like protective gear and support for moving expenses, offer unquantified value to residents' well-being. Understanding these benefits is essential to comprehensively assess their influence on program selection during the Match process, highlighting the need for focused studies on these aspects.”
Marty Stempniak has covered healthcare since 2012, with his byline appearing in the American Hospital Association's member magazine, Modern Healthcare and McKnight's. Prior to that, he wrote about village government and local business for his hometown newspaper in Oak Park, Illinois. He won a Peter Lisagor and Gold EXCEL awards in 2017 for his coverage of the opioid epidemic.