Influences affecting radiologists' choices of academic or private practice careers.

The authors surveyed 5,000 practicing radiologists and 3,000 individuals currently in radiology training to determine the aspects of their backgrounds, education, training, and attitudes that most affected their career decisions. The choice of academic radiology was associated with receiving medical school education or radiology training at an institution ranking among the 20 with the most federal grant funding, publishing research articles, and participating in a variety of interpersonal research experiences during radiology training. Academic radiologists were more likely to choose their careers because of their interests, aptitudes, and greater concern for the value of doing research. Private practitioners rated family obligations, leisure time, and level of personal income as more significant influences on their career choices. Programs interested in training more academic radiologists should reconsider how they select trainees and provide an appropriate research environment during training.