Nathan C Hull MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Kristen Barry Thomas MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Chad Jeremy Fleming MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Tara L. Henrichsen MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Timothy Welch MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To evaluate the influencing factors in the decision to pursue a radiology fellowship, and if this additional training translates to practical benefits like securing employment, job satisfaction, and use of subspecialty knowledge. 

A short questionnaire was sent via an online survey service to fellowship trained radiologists who completed some training (residency and/or fellowship) at Mayo Clinic in the last 15 years to evaluate their perspectives on job satisfaction, use of subspecialty knowledge, and factors in selecting a fellowship. Percentages were calculated from the collected responses.

Survey response rate was 65% (142/218). 92.2% felt prepared to make a decision about fellowship with 52.5% reporting that sometime during the 4th year of radiology residency training was the best time to decide on fellowship training. The most important selection factors were personal interest in a particular field (99.3%), and to help secure employment (77.7%), with influence of mentors (68.6%), lifestyle (63.3%),  and geography (55.0%) also ranked highly. 78.9% felt they could have not secured the same employment without fellowship training. 95.6% felt more confident in their practice after fellowship. 93.5% report use of their fellowship training on a regular basis in their respective practices. 97.0% are pleased they chose to complete fellowship training. The average overall job satisfaction was 89.3%.

Most residents feel prepared to choose a fellowship by sometime between the third and fourth year of residency. The most important selection factors are personal interest in a particular field and to help secure employment. Fellowship has many practical applications including: to secure employment, daily use of advanced training, high job satisfaction, and increased knowledge and confidence at initial employment.  With initiation of the new ABR exams, it remains to be seen if practice groups will hire residents straight out of residency who are only board eligible and not board certified. This could increase the number of residents seeking fellowship training in the future.

Radiology fellowship training is a practical means of increasing a radiologist's marketability, job satisfaction, initial confidence, and use of subspecialty knowledge.  

Hull, N, Thomas, K, Fleming, C, Henrichsen, T, Welch, T, The Practicality of Radiology Fellowships: A Mayo Clinic Perspective.  Radiological Society of North America 2013 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, December 1 - December 6, 2013 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2013/13012993.html