The 2016 ACR commission on human resources workforce survey

Purpose The ACR Commission on Human Resources conducts an annual electronic survey to better understand the present workforce scenario for radiologists. Methods The Practice of Radiology Environment Database was used to identify group leads, who were asked to complete an electronic survey developed by the Commission on Human Resources. The survey asked group leads to report the number of radiologists they currently employ or supervise, the number hired in 2015, and the numbers they plan to hire in 2016 and 2019. Leaders were asked to report the subspecialty area used as the main reason for hiring each physician, as well the ages and genders of their current workforce. Results Thirty-two percent of group leaders, corresponding to 13,074 radiologists or 39% of all practicing radiologists, responded to this survey. The percentage of practicing radiologists who are male is 78.6%, compared with 21.4% who are female. Six percent of radiologists are older than 65 years, and 22% are between the ages of 56 and 65 years. Nineteen percent of radiologists older than 65 years retired in 2015. Fifteen percent of all radiologists work part-time. Among the part-time radiologists, 9% are male and 30% are female. General radiologists now make up only 13.3% of the radiologist workforce. In 2015, 45% of new hires moved from existing jobs; 55% were first-time hires. In 2016, it is projected that between 1,713 and 2,223 new jobs will be available, a 16.2% increase from hiring in 2015. Conclusions Job opportunities for radiologists have continued to increase since 2013