ShareThe workforce supply in Canada, although increasing, has not matched the demand for breast radiologists. To gauge the interest level for breast imaging and determine factors influencing radiology trainees’ decision to pursue this subspeciality, Canadian researchers sent a survey to all 16 radiology programs and all 17 medical schools’ radiology interest groups. They examined survey responses from Canadian residents in postgraduate years 1-5 and all medical students from years 1-4. Survey respondents included 80 residents along with 77 more medical students.
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They found that performing procedures under sonographic, mammographic, or MRI guidance are desirable features of breast imaging, whereas its perceived repetitiveness is not. About 20.4% of respondents expected breast imaging to be repetitive. Radiology residents were also deterred by the high workload (6%) and fear of lawsuits (15%), while these factors bothered medical students less (0% and 5% of medical school respondents, respectively). About 59% of respondents found the associated procedures appealing, a factor associated with interest in breast imaging fellowships. The subspeciality's patient-facing nature was considered a prime motivator.
The study’s authors conclude ‘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. Solutions include increasing early exposure to breast radiology as well as addressing inadequacies in training during residency.’
