Entering-class enrollments in educational programs in radiography, radiation therapy, and nuclear medicine technology, 1999 to 2006.

PURPOSE To track entering-class enrollments in primary programs in radiography, nuclear medicine technology, and radiation therapy and to anticipate trends in numbers entering those disciplines. METHODS The American Society of Radiologic Technologists' annual Enrollment Snapshot of Radiography, Radiation Therapy, and Nuclear Medicine Educational Programs has surveyed program directors in these 3 disciplines every fall since 2001, obtaining information on entering-class enrollments, retention rates, and program viability. RESULTS These survey results, together with American Registry of Radiologic Technologists statistics on the number of first-time certification examinees (which they foreshadow by about 2 years) show that the number of radiologic technologists entering these 3 disciplines declined steadily from 1995 to 2000, then increased steadily from 2000 to 2005. However, since 2005, entering-class enrollments have begun to level off, especially in radiation therapy and radiography. CONCLUSIONS Entering-class enrollments provide an "early warning system" with respect to trends in the supply of radiographers, nuclear medicine technologists, and radiation therapists. Given the recent stabilization of entering-class enrollments in radiography and radiation therapy, we can anticipate a similar leveling off of the number of entrants into those 2 disciplines over the next 2 years.