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.

The future of imaging MRI will require some technological advances and system upgrades. Currently, the equipment is very large to install and very expensive to use. Some say there will be smaller, more convenient hand-held devices, which will make it easier to examine a patient’s leg, arm or other body part, without having to slide them into a large magnet machine. This will also cut back on the claustrophobia people often feel during their radiology treatments. Smaller technology makes it easier for each hospital and doctor’s office to offer these tests right on-site, even though some of the results will need to be interpreted off-site by trained professionals. Some of the tests — like PET and CT scans — may be combined into one machine, along with updated computer software, to enable the best possible image.

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