The pediatric radiology subspecialty continues to experience a major workforce shortage, researchers have reported.
The shortage results from a combination of decreased trainee interest in pediatric radiology fellowships, increased clinical volumes, increased staffing demands, and a competitive job market, according to the group, which based the finding on the latest American College of Radiology (ACR)/Radiology Business Management Association (RBMA) workforce survey.
“Pediatric radiology was listed as a top three hiring need by 11% of decision-makers in 2023,” note lead author Shannon Farmakis, MD, chief of pediatric imaging at West County Radiological Group in St. Louis, MO, and colleagues. The analysis was published March 11 in the Journal of the American College of Radiology.
Three years of data (2021 to 2023) is now available from the annual ACR/RBMA survey to evaluate trends within the pediatric radiology workforce, the authors explained. In addition to hiring needs, the group culled out data on retirement plans, staffing perception, telework, income, and the use of nonphysician providers in the specialty.
While retirement plans for pediatric radiologists were not investigated in the 2021 and 2022 surveys, in 2023, 10% (5/47) of rank-and-file respondents identifying as pediatric radiologists indicated that it is likely they would retire by the end of 2024. The overall average is 8% (59/731) among all respondents, the group noted.
When looking at staffing perception data on pediatric radiology in 2023, the researchers found that 74% (48/65) of rank-and-file respondents and 64% (11/17) of decision-makers indicated that they are understaffed in pediatric radiology. Comparatively, the overall radiology average is 68% (777/1139) for rank-and-file respondents and 71% (342/481) for decision-makers.
The opportunity for telework continues at a high rate in pediatric radiology, the researchers found. In 2023, pediatric radiologists reported the highest percentages of being able to telework: 96% (61/64) of rank-and-file respondents reported being allowed to telework during the day, 90% (57/64) were allowed to telework at nighttime, and no one indicated they were not allowed to telework. This is up from opportunities for telework among 81% in 2021.
The combined average income of decision-makers and rank and file respondents in pediatric radiology is $495,000 compared to $499,000 for all radiology specialties. With the interventional subspecialties removed (breast imaging, interventional radiology, and radiation oncology), the combined average becomes $500,000 with a total standard error of $6,400, the researchers noted.
“Therefore, there is no significant difference in annual salaries for pediatric radiologists compared to adult noninterventional subspecialties,” they wrote.
In terms of using nonphysician providers (NPPs) in pediatric radiology, the group found that use continues to be high, despite a significant decrease in the percentage from a reported 91% in 2021. Among decision-makers, 54% (9/16) reported use of nurse practitioners, 54% (9/16) reported use of physician assistants, and 23% (4/17) reported use of radiology assistants in pediatric radiology practice.
“It is unclear why there may have been a decrease in NPP usage in pediatric radiology since 2021,” the researchers wrote. “Having a few more years of data will be helpful in establishing whether or not there is a trend.”
Ultimately, evaluating these trends may help radiology practice leaders optimize recruitment and retention of pediatric radiologists, the group concluded.
The full analysis is available here.