The employment market for 1996 diagnostic radiology and radiation oncology graduates: training program directors' point of view.

In light of concerns about the job market, we describe the employment situation for 1996 graduates and the status and plans of training programs.In April-May 1996, and in a December follow-up, we surveyed all radiation oncology residency directors and a 50% random sample of diagnostic radiology residency directors about the employment situation of their 1996 residency and fellowship graduates and about their programs. One hundred percent of those surveyed responded. We compared findings with similar 1995 surveys. Differences were assessed with t tests, with a p value less than or equal to .05 as the test of significance.Unemployment 6 months after graduation was 0.8% for diagnostic fellows and less for other categories. Approximately 91% of graduates had positions that reasonably matched their training and personal employment goals. Our survey showed that programs have reduced beginning residency slots by 6% in diagnostic radiology and 4% in radiation oncology over the last 3 years. Program directors plan...