Diagnostic radiologists' subspecialization and fields of practice

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to explore the diagnostic radiolog y profession from the perspective of subspecialization and fields of practi ce. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Data for 1244 practicing diagnostic radiologists wer e gathered from the American College of Radiology's 1995 Survey of Radiolog ists. Radiation oncologists, the retired, and residents and fellows were ex cluded. Responses were weighted to represent all practicing diagnostic radi ologists in the United States and were compared with a similar previous sur vey. RESULTS. More than one quarter (28%) of diagnostic radiologists are subspec ialists. Diagnostic radiology subspecialists were more likely than generali sts to have fellowship training, work in center cities, work in large group s, and be employed by an academic institution. They were also generally you nger and provided a narrower range of imaging services than generalists. CONCLUSION. Although most diagnostic radiologists are generalists, subspeci alization will likely continue to grow.