Recruiting consultants in a shortage speciality: factors influencing radiology trainees preferred choice of centre after completion of core training

There are estimated to be in excess of 420 vacant consultant radiology posts in the UK. Within Scotland this shortage is most pronounced in Dumfries, Grampian and Highland regions. Anecdotal evidence suggest that a reasonable proportion of the 200 new trainees leaving the training schemes each year leave the UK for work abroad. Very few of the trainees apply for posts in the North of Scotland and in other non teaching centres. It is rumoured that the BMJ is no longer an effective method of advertising posts and that social networks may be more widely viewed. Using an online questionnaire circulated to all radiology trainees in UK known to the Royal College of Radiologists Junior Radiologists Forum (JRF) we aim to gather data on the reasons why radiology registrars look for work where they do. This will include details of preferred country, region, type of institution and sub-speciality and the factors influencing these preferences such as family ties, spouse employment, work life balance, leisure time activities, private practice opportunities, career or financial aspirations. The survey will enquire how and where trainees look for posts (journals, social media, word of mouth, etc). By improving our appreciation of the decisions taken and how to attract candidates to advertised posts we may be better able to recruit to vacancies in the Highlands.

This abstract was presented at the Innovative Solutions in Remote Healthcare - 'Rethinking Remote' conference, 23-24 May 2016, Inverness, Scotland.