Characteristics of radiology groups and of diagnostic radiologists and radiation oncologists in different types of practices.

Abstract

To describe the characteristics of U.S. radiology groups and of radiologists in different types of practices in 1995. A survey was distributed to 3,024 radiologists; the response rate was 75%. Responses were weighted to represent all U.S. groups or radiologists. There were 3,285 groups; 340 were academic, and 356 were multispecialty. Fifty percent of groups had two to four members; 39% of radiologists were in groups with fewer than eight members, and 8% were solo practitioners. Seventy percent of all radiologists were in practices owned entirely by physicians in the practice, and 80% of these were themselves owners. Eight percent of radiologists were in government-owned practices, and 15% (primarily academic) were in privately-owned practices in which all physicians were employees. Sixty-nine percent of academic diagnostic radiologists worked primarily in one field, but this was true of only 22% of those in nonacademic groups. Solo diagnostic practitioners also typically had a broad practice but excluded high-cost modalities. Radiologists in nonacademic groups averaged more vacation days (30 d/yr) than academic (19 d/yr) or solo (12 d/yr) practitioners. Solo and locum tenens practitioners were relatively old; academic radiologists, relatively young. Through 1995, average group size has grown slowly. There are important differences among practice types, especially between academic and nonacademic practices.