Kako Bashar, Dong Jian W, An Brian P, McLoud Theresa C, Durfee Sara M, Jacene Heather A, Chow David Z, Wang Yingbing, Hyun Hyewon, Ng Thomas S C
Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA.
Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA.
Acad Radiol. 2023 Apr;30(4):755-762. doi: 10.1016/j.acra.2022.07.025. Epub 2022 Sep 2.
To understand the current state of radiology residents' exposure to nuclear medicine and molecular imaging (NM/MI), determine key factors that may attract more trainees into the field, and identify differentiating aspects between those specializing in NM/MI and those who are not.
An anonymous web-based survey was sent to contacts at all diagnostic radiology residency programs in the United States for dissemination to their residents, collecting information about trainees' NM/MI exposure during residency and factors that may attract them to NM/MI.
A total of 198 trainees responded to the survey, 34 of whom plan on pursuing a career in NM/MI. Most trainees reported early exposure to NM/MI during residency; most (97.4%) reported ample exposure to general NM/MI and oncologic studies. Less than 3% of trainees reported adequate exposure to therapies, neurological applications, molecular imaging/research advances, and physics. Respondents reported a need for better quality education (38.9%) and exposure to mentors (28.8%) as ways to attract trainees to NM/MI. Routinely encountered clinical pathology was the most interesting for those specializing in NM/MI (29.4%), whereas lifestyle was the most attractive aspect of NM/MI for those not pursuing a career in the field (27.4%). NM/MI-associated research was the least attractive for those specializing in NM/MI (35.3%), while job market concerns was the least attractive aspect for those not specializing in NM/MI (37.2%). Trainees planning to specialize in NM/MI reported higher satisfaction with their orientation to NM/MI during their first clinical rotation compared to those who do not plan to specialize in the field (3.03/5.00 and 2.67/5.00, respectively, p = 0.04).
This survey highlights several factors that training programs and national societies can target to improve interest in NM/MI among radiology residents. We found that optimized education initiatives, including improved orientation to the field, increased mentoring, and career opportunities are essential levers for recruiting radiology trainees into the NM/MI workforce.
了解放射科住院医师接触核医学与分子影像（NM/MI）的现状，确定可能吸引更多学员投身该领域的关键因素，并找出NM/MI专业人员与非专业人员之间的差异。
通过网络向美国所有诊断放射科住院医师培训项目的联系人发送匿名调查问卷，由其分发给住院医师，收集有关住院医师培训期间学员接触NM/MI的情况以及可能吸引他们从事NM/MI工作的因素。
共有198名学员回复了调查问卷，其中34人计划从事NM/MI相关职业。大多数学员报告在住院医师培训期间较早接触到NM/MI；大多数（97.4%）表示对普通NM/MI和肿瘤学研究有足够的接触。不到3%的学员报告对治疗、神经学应用、分子影像/研究进展和物理学有足够的接触。受访者表示，需要提供更高质量的教育（38.9%）和有导师指导（28.8%），以此作为吸引学员从事NM/MI工作的方式。对于从事NM/MI专业的人员来说，日常遇到的临床病理学最具吸引力（29.4%），而对于不打算从事该领域工作的人员来说，工作方式是NM/MI最具吸引力的方面（27.4%）。与NM/MI相关的研究对从事NM/MI专业的人员吸引力最小（35.3%），而就业市场问题对不从事NM/MI专业的人员吸引力最小（37.2%）。计划从事NM/MI专业的学员在首次临床轮转期间对NM/MI培训的满意度高于不打算从事该领域工作的学员（分别为3.03/5.00和2.67/5.00，p = 0.04）。
本次调查突出了几个培训项目和全国性学会可以针对的因素，以提高放射科住院医师对NM/MI的兴趣。我们发现，优化教育举措，包括改善对该领域的培训、增加导师指导和职业机会，是吸引放射科住院医师加入NM/MI工作队伍的关键手段。
