Achieving satisfaction in radiology practice: advice to graduating residents.

t the present time, and for the oreseeable future, there seems to be significant shortage of radiologists n the United States [1-3]. Past experience, however, teaches s that long-term planning on the bais of the present status of affairs ould be dangerous. The reason is hat the field of imaging is in a state of apid evolution. New technologies, he insurance environment, the inreasing concern about the medicalegal quagmire, and turf issues with ther specialties are but some of the actors that might cause significant hanges in the relationship between he number of available radiologists nd the number of procedures perormed in this country. At what age adiologists will decide to retire, how any will choose part-time conracts, and the level of penetration in he profession by radiologist assisants and other ancillary providers are ome of the other unknown entities hat will play a significant role in deermining the future need for radiolgists in this country [4-7]. For these reasons, and to ensure he competence and the respectbility of our young radiologists in he eyes of our colleagues and of the atients they will be serving, my uggestion to all of our graduating esidents is to pursue further trainng in fellowship programs. The first question many resients try to answer is the one conerning what imaging subspecialty ill ensure good job opportunities n the future. Experience teaches hat trying to predict the evolution f any subspecialty in the future is a