Private Practice: What Is Expected of the New Graduate?

Abstract

W21 learn new procedures in private practice that you should already have mastered in residency, when you are simultaneously trying to do a full day’s work. Either continuing medical education or vacation must be used or a member of the group must take the time to teach you, interrupting the daily workflow and diminishing the overall productivity of the group. Do not think that you will be exempt from learning radiologic procedures because you have pursued a fellowship in a different area. In all but the largest groups, one cannot expect more than one or two “free passes.” For example, if you are a fellowship-trained musculoskeletal radiologist, you can avoid doing complex biliary or vascular interventional work. But you cannot expect to also be exempt from minor procedures; nuclear medicine; mammography; or breast, body, and neuroradiology MRI. Unless you are willing to severely limit your job prospects to only the largest and most subspecialized of radiology practices, it is vital that you gain the skills in training to ensure that you are comfortable with the entire spectrum of imaging. Without such confidence, it is difficult to be a true “team player” in most private practices.