R2/rising R3 here really struggling with the decision between the two. I’m truly 50/50.
Ideal job would be in private practice being able to read some of everything in addition to the complex cases in my subspecialty. I am also entertaining the thought of 1-on-2-off or night shift/ED job as I’ve found I really enjoy the cases in the ED.
I thought I’d list some of the pro’s and con’s I can think of and hope that you guys can provide your input or let me know if I’m just completely off base here. Some of these points may be more tailored toward stuff I’d see in an academic environment (i.e. fellowship year) rather than in the community or PP setting.
Neuro
Pros:
- High complexity/cool pathology
- Advanced/functional MR imaging seems really interesting
- High(er) pay/RVU’s
- Highly marketable
Cons:
- CTA’s and stroke codes on everyone with AMS
- Spines can be a slog
- Higher volumes of high acuity cases
- Higher liability (?)
- Not a big fan of ENT/Head neck stuff but that could change with more time in training
- I’ve seen that Neurosurgery and Neurology like to read their own imaging a lot. Feels like sometimes my reads don’t make that much of a difference
Body
Pros:
- Feels more “big picture” when reading complex cases in order to come to a unifying diagnosis which I enjoy
- Being able to read prostate, pelvic and body MR can be valuable to a practice
- Get to do procedures depending on the practice you join
- My interactions with surgeons and clinicians regarding body cases have been more fulfilling; actually feel like I’m making a difference
Cons:
- I’ve been told it’s not as generally marketable for PP/ ED jobs
- Can be delegated to doing just mostly generalist work (?) in the private practice setting
- May be pressured to read a higher volume of cases compared to Neuro due to generally lower average RVU’s per case
- Not a big fan of being the fluoro expert
- Could spend a lot of time training procedures to only join a practice where that’s done by IR
- MRCP/ Renal MRI follow-ups for lesion surveillance can be a slog
I know RVU’s and compensation should always take a back seat over “do what you enjoy the most” but in my situation that could be one of the tie breakers since I really do like both.
Also I don’t really find credence in this statement but I had a fellow at my program tell me that AI is coming for Neuro imaging first because of the pressure to improve outcomes with stroke care, with body MR being “safe”. As much as I’ve been trying to ignore that statement it still lingers in the back of my mind.
I know the market is hot right now but it’s hard to know where cyclical nature of the rads market takes it 5 or 10 years from now.
Thanks in advance!
Ideal job would be in private practice being able to read some of everything in addition to the complex cases in my subspecialty. I am also entertaining the thought of 1-on-2-off or night shift/ED job as I’ve found I really enjoy the cases in the ED.
I thought I’d list some of the pro’s and con’s I can think of and hope that you guys can provide your input or let me know if I’m just completely off base here. Some of these points may be more tailored toward stuff I’d see in an academic environment (i.e. fellowship year) rather than in the community or PP setting.
Neuro
Pros:
- High complexity/cool pathology
- Advanced/functional MR imaging seems really interesting
- High(er) pay/RVU’s
- Highly marketable
Cons:
- CTA’s and stroke codes on everyone with AMS
- Spines can be a slog
- Higher volumes of high acuity cases
- Higher liability (?)
- Not a big fan of ENT/Head neck stuff but that could change with more time in training
- I’ve seen that Neurosurgery and Neurology like to read their own imaging a lot. Feels like sometimes my reads don’t make that much of a difference
Body
Pros:
- Feels more “big picture” when reading complex cases in order to come to a unifying diagnosis which I enjoy
- Being able to read prostate, pelvic and body MR can be valuable to a practice
- Get to do procedures depending on the practice you join
- My interactions with surgeons and clinicians regarding body cases have been more fulfilling; actually feel like I’m making a difference
Cons:
- I’ve been told it’s not as generally marketable for PP/ ED jobs
- Can be delegated to doing just mostly generalist work (?) in the private practice setting
- May be pressured to read a higher volume of cases compared to Neuro due to generally lower average RVU’s per case
- Not a big fan of being the fluoro expert
- Could spend a lot of time training procedures to only join a practice where that’s done by IR
- MRCP/ Renal MRI follow-ups for lesion surveillance can be a slog
I know RVU’s and compensation should always take a back seat over “do what you enjoy the most” but in my situation that could be one of the tie breakers since I really do like both.
Also I don’t really find credence in this statement but I had a fellow at my program tell me that AI is coming for Neuro imaging first because of the pressure to improve outcomes with stroke care, with body MR being “safe”. As much as I’ve been trying to ignore that statement it still lingers in the back of my mind.
I know the market is hot right now but it’s hard to know where cyclical nature of the rads market takes it 5 or 10 years from now.
Thanks in advance!
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