Repetitiveness is one of the most common reasons why medical trainees say they would not choose a career in breast imaging, according to new survey data released Thursday.
Meanwhile, breast radiology’s hands-on nature when compared to other subspecialties, with the ability to perform procedures under sonographic, mammographic or MRI guidance, is seen as a positive trait. The findings are part of a survey of nearly 160 radiology residents and medical students, published in the Canadian Association of Radiologists Journal.
There is a growing need for such professionals in medicine, with one analysis noting that the low number of graduates entering breast radiology would result in a reduced workforce in the coming years. Lead author Tong Wu, MD, and colleagues hope their findings can help the profession avoid such future shortages.
“Trainees play an important role in advancing the future of breast radiology and evaluating their perceptions will help us curate opportunities to recruit more talent to this field,” Wu, with the Department of Radiology at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, and co-authors concluded. “Solutions include increasing early exposure to breast radiology as well as addressing inadequacies in training during residency.”
Researchers sent their survey to radiology program chief residents, medical school interest groups, and advertised it on social media between late 2020 and early 2021. Respondents included 80 residents along with 77 more medical students for a final tally of 157. Breast/women’s imaging was cited as the most desired subspecialty at 36%, followed by abdominal imaging (35%) and interventional radiology (25%), while another 25% said they were still unsure.
More than 20% of those surveyed said they expected breast imaging to be repetitive, which Wu et al. found was associated with significantly increased odds of disinterest in the subspecialty. Radiology residents also cited the high workload (6%) and fear of lawsuits (15%) as deterrents, while medical students were less bothered by such factors (0% and 5%, respectively). Wu and co-authors suggested workshops on how rads can avoid breast-related litigation as one remedy for such anxiety. Other common reasons included “breast imaging is boring” or concerns about stress of dealing with screening or high workloads.
On the other side, the profession’s patient-facing nature was seen as a benefit to others, and Wu et al. see a path for further exploration to understand such contradictions. Other popular answers included “breast interventional procedures are fun” and feelings that the field is “making a difference.”
“Breast radiologists take ownership of patient care by having the ability to recall patients and may often be the first to disclose cancer diagnosis to patients,” the authors wrote. “Furthermore, they play an active role in radiology-pathology correlation and multidisciplinary rounds for management of breast cancer patients. It would be worthwhile to explore specific aspects that make BI seem boring and stressful in future surveys.”
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.