The radiology job market in the Netherlands: which subspecialties and other skills are in demand?

Abstract

Abstract Objectives To evaluate the current job market for medical specialists in radiology and nuclear medicine (NM) in the Netherlands. Methods Vacancies posted for radiologists and nuclear medicine physicians in the Netherlands between December 2020 and February 2022 were collected and analyzed. Results A total of 157 vacancies (146 for radiologist and 11 for nuclear medicine physicians) were included. The most sought-after subspecialties were all-round (22%), abdominal (19%), and interventional radiology (14%), and 30% of vacancies preferred applicants with additional non-clinical skills (research, teaching, management, information and communications technology (ICT)/artificial intelligence (AI)). Non-academic hospitals significantly more frequently requested all-round radiologists (n = 31) than academic hospitals (n = 1) (p = 0.001), while the distribution of other requested subspecialties was not significantly different between non-academic and academic vacancies. Non-academic hospitals also significantly more frequently requested additional research tasks in their vacancies (n = 35) compared to academic hospitals (n = 4) (p = 0.011). There were non-significant trends for non-academic hospitals more frequently requesting teaching tasks in their vacancies (n =18) than academic hospitals (n = 1) (p = 0.051), and for non-academic hospitals more frequently asking for management skills (n = 11) than academic hospitals (n = 0) (p = 0.075). Conclusion All-round, abdominal, and interventional radiologists are most in demand on the job market in the Netherlands. All-round radiologists are particularly sought after by non-academic hospitals, whereas nuclear radiologists who completed the Dutch integrated NM and radiology residency seem to be welcomed by hospitals searching for a nuclear medicine specialist. Finally, non-clinical skills (research, teaching, management, ICT/AI) are commonly requested. These data can be useful for residents and developers of training curricula. Clinical relevance statement An overview of the radiology job market and the requested skills is important for residents, for those who seek work as a radiologist, and for those who are involved in the design and revision of residency programs. Key Points Review of job vacancies over an extended period of time provides valuable information to residents and feedback to potentially improve radiology and nuclear medicine (NM) residency programs. All-round radiologists are wanted in non-academic hospitals and nuclear radiologists (those who have completed an integrated NM-radiology curriculum) are welcomed by hospitals searching for nuclear medicine specialists in the Netherlands. There is a need to train residents in important non-clinical skills, such as research and teaching, but also management and communications technology/artificial intelligence.