What is the Future of Imaging MRI?

“We need more radiologists, and we’re trying to increase training programs and attract the best and brightest medical students into our radiology specialties,” says James Borgstede MD of the University of Colorado’s Department of Radiology. With more and more Americans being referred to specialists to have imaging MRI and CT scans performed, there is a growing need for more specialists, he argues. As health care clinics and outposts expand to outlying suburbs and towns, there will be a need for medical professionals in these outlying areas, not just the urban centers. After all, no one wants to drive two hours just to have an x-ray done.

There are several reasons why analysts worry there may not be enough specialists to perform MRI scans in the future. First, more and more radiology experts are reaching retirement age. The American College of Radiology reports that there were 6,500 retirees in 2007, 5,870 retirees in 2004 and 5,100 retirees in 2000. Statistically, radiologists retire two years later than most other professions, but even so, the numbers are decreasing. Since it takes 6-7 years to obtain radiology degree, these vacancies are difficult to fill.

Job vacancies are another way the American College of Radiology tracks the imaging MRI outlook. In 2007, they gauged the job market to be “intermediate” because it was easy to fill basic vacancies, but it was harder to fill more desirable, high-level positions like interventional radiology and breast imaging specialists. Perhaps downsizing affects even the medical industry, with 0.72 jobs for each job seeker in 2007, compared to 1.1 in 2003 and 1.2 in 2006. It seems that some retirees are coming back to the field as specialists, which prevents many young, aspiring radiology professionals from moving up and causes some professionals to move into other sectors of health care, where advancement and top earnings are more likely.

Recently imaging MRI and other imaging tests were under fire by the Obama administration. In the proposed plan, Medicare recipients would need to have their radiology services approved by a “benefit manager” before their imaging will be paid for. This measure would save 0 million over a decade, the president said, which will help him in expanding health care coverage to more Americans. Even so, the news comes as an outrage to many who work in the field. There is much money to be made in radiology ultrasound, MRI, CT and X-ray technology. The future of this science may very well depend upon future legislation and funding accessibility.

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