Radiology fellowship with a focus on musculoskeletal imaging: current challenges and future directions.

OBJECTIVE: Many musculoskeletal fellowships are nonaccredited, leading to heterogeneity of educational experiences. There is no governing body for these nonaccredited fellowships, leaving program content and rules to the program directors' discretion. In addition, imaging fellowships in general currently face many external pressures that challenge their capacity to provide a high-quality education. Federal cuts to Medicare, diminished reimbursement to radiology departments, and pressure for increased accountability exerted by insurance companies and hospitals all place additional stress on fellowship training programs.
CONCLUSION: Only those fellowships providing the highest-quality educational experience will continue to thrive.