Radiology practices grew in size between 1990 and 2007, with significant growth experienced by practices with 30 or more radiologists, according to research published in the July issue of the Journal of the American College of Radiology.
The fraction of radiologists in practices from one to four radiologists decreased from 29% in 1990 to 22% in 2007, while the fraction of radiologists in practices of five to 14 radiologists decreased from 51% in 1990 to 38% in 2007, according to the study by Mythreyi Bhargavan, Ph.D., and Jonathan Sunshine, Ph.D.
However, the median radiologist worked in a practice with seven radiologists in 1990, 11 in 2000, and 11 in 2007. The fraction of practices with 15 to 29 radiologists increased from 14% in 1990 to 21% in 1995, and has remained constant since, according to the researchers.
In general, changes were more rapid from 1990 to 2000 than afterward, according to the researchers. Larger practices provide advantages, such as increased opportunity for diversity in subspecialization and more leniency in negotiating leverage with insurers and hospitals, they said.
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