With IR becoming its own residency, what can we expect?

[MadRadLad]

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I'm a M1 who is interested in radiology, especially IR. Speaking with several radiologists at our affiliated hospital and the DR program director, they seemed a little uncertain on how things are going to progress in the field. From what i've read, the job market for rads has not been the greatest and many grads end up doing a fellowship.

So with the new changes, where I understand IR will become its own 6-year residency and the post-DR fellowship will be phased out, what is expected in terms of job market/demand for either ? I assume that if demand for IR was extremely low, there wouldn't have been a push to move towards a dedicated residency. I've also read of some issues with encroachment on certain procedures by different specialties - how big of an issue is this?

I'm not trying to persuade/dissuade myself from considering IR or DR as options, since it's hard to predict the job market almost a decade from now. I just wasn't really clear on how the field is going to shake out after these changes, so i'd appreciate any sort of input.

 

[RadsonRads]

You are like 2 months into med school and you won't have to worry about this for a while. Furthermore, IR residency starts in 2016 (after your 2nd yr). So you still have a full year (ms3) to see how it pans out. There is a good chance that you won't even like IR by then. Nobody really knows the future of the field, but the best part about that is that you have plenty of time to sit back and watch. Focus on anatomy right now. Worry about IR job opportunities much later


MS4

 

[Doctor D]

It looks like the trolls have even started seeding their opinions in the minds of first year medical students.

IR is becoming it's own specialty not because there is a problem with DR or the job market but because there is a clinical need for more dedicated IR training. In other words you can't learn all of IR patient management in a one year fellowship. The last one year fellowships will be in 2021. The job market for IR is actually not that bad. I would also say that the job market for DR is better than many posters would lead you to believe (although not nearly as good as 5 or 6 years ago). Just focus on your studies and ace the usmles, then think about what you really want to do.

 

[txguy]

I'm a M1 who is interested in radiology, especially IR. Speaking with several radiologists at our affiliated hospital and the DR program director, they seemed a little uncertain on how things are going to progress in the field. From what i've read, the job market for rads has not been the greatest and many grads end up doing a fellowship.

So with the new changes, where I understand IR will become its own 6-year residency and the post-DR fellowship will be phased out, what is expected in terms of job market/demand for either ? I assume that if demand for IR was extremely low, there wouldn't have been a push to move towards a dedicated residency. I've also read of some issues with encroachment on certain procedures by different specialties - how big of an issue is this?

I'm not trying to persuade/dissuade myself from considering IR or DR as options, since it's hard to predict the job market almost a decade from now. I just wasn't really clear on how the field is going to shake out after these changes, so i'd appreciate any sort of input.

Agree with above. Your sole focus is to get good grades and ace your USMLEs--this should take up the majority of your time. Don't occupy your mind with residencies, job market, etc. right now.

I will also agree that the job market is not as bad as folks on online forums will have you believe. Best of luck!

 

[MadRadLad]

Thanks everyone. I'm not worried or caught up in it, it was just mentioned by some of the radiologists I spoke to and they weren't entirely certain on some points so I just wanted to get some clarification.
I'm fully aware that I may not even end up liking IR/DR later on, it was just something I was curious about.