Health-care policy toward medical imaging experience in some European countries

2002 Australian radiology workforce report

This paper describes the current status of radiologist provision in Australia, and explores issues relating to its current adequacy, as well as analysing projections of supply and requirements, and their balancing. Data are drawn from several sources including the results of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists Workforce Survey 2000, and the report of the Australian Medical Workforce Advisory Committee Radiology Working Party 2001. The main conclusions to be drawn are that: (i) there is a current shortfall of radiologist supply in Australia; (ii) future requirements (taking all factors into consideration) are expected to grow at a greater rate than projected supply (based on the status quo); and (iii) supply of radiologists should therefore be increased. These conclusions are roughly in line with those from other countries, such as the UK, Canada and USA. Radiologists practising in Australia also appear to have relatively high productivity, including by some international comparisons. These findings are presented in the context of current issues in Australian medical imaging, including provider consolidation and corporatization, globalization and funding.

1998 Australian radiology workforce report

The 1998 Australian Radiologist Workforce Survey findings form the basis of the present report, prepared by the Workforce Committee of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR). A more detailed report can be accessed through the RANZCR web site (http:@www.ranzcr.edu.au). This follows similar previously published reports by the Workforce Committee in the 1990s. The issues of radiologist workforce supply and demand are examined, and benchmarks again reviewed. One of the conclusions of the present report is a possible upcoming shortage of radiologists in Australia, due to several factors, including a possible increase in the attrition rate of an ageing radiologist population, increasing female participation in the workforce, and increasing medical imaging utilization rates. In comparison with other Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) nations, Australia had a mid-range supply of radiologists, and also medical imaging utilization, although there has been an increase in the latter. Australian radiologist annual workloads appear to be increasing.