Student interest in radiologic technology education programs is on the rise, suggest survey findings published by the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT).
The ASRT’s findings, published in December 2024, reported that the number of enrolled students increased from 17,679 students in 2023 to an estimated 19,815 students in 2024. These students entered programs approved by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).
“This is a positive signal for addressing the workforce shortages that we currently face and the future aging population,” Melissa Culp, the ASRT’s executive vice president of member engagement, told AuntMinnie.com.
Workforce sustainability continues to be a challenge in radiology and technologist fields. Radiology leaders have looked to education programs to see what drives student interest in the field and how the field can be made to appear more attractive to medical students.
The ASRT began conducting its yearly survey of radiologic technology students in 2001. In 2024, it sent its survey to 1,263 directors of several programs, including the following: radiography, radiation therapy, nuclear medicine technology, sonography, and MR imaging. The ASRT began tracking enrollment data for sonography and MR imaging in 2022. All these programs are approved by the ARRT.
“We capture the data, so education programs can make informed decisions,” Culp said.
The survey received 412 responses, with the ASRT reporting the following:
- Student enrollment in radiation therapy programs rose from 1,302 in 2023 to 1,663 in 2024. This is a record number since the ASRT began issuing its survey in 2001.
- Nuclear medicine technology program enrollments also increased from 903 students in 2023 to 1,403 students enrolling in 2024. This is the greatest enrollment for such programs since 2012, per ASRT survey data.
- An estimated 5,511 students enrolled in ARRT-recognized sonography programs in 2024, up from 3,144 in 2023.
- MR imaging programs enrolled an average of 1,004 students in 2024, an increase from 555 in 2023.
Culp said the ASRT aims to broaden the frame about health professions. While people may think that attending medical school means becoming a nurse and/or a doctor, Culp said there’s “so much more” in healthcare than what may be portrayed to a general audience.
The ASRT has been undertaking a public awareness campaign. This includes a TV commercial that was aired during the 2024 Summer Olympics. Additionally, the society has forged partnerships with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, Special Olympics, Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA), the American School Counselor Association, and the National Science Teaching Association. These partnerships aim to help the ASRT reach out to middle schools and high schools to increase interest in technologist careers.
The ASRT in February 2024 co-hosted a meeting with the ARRT and the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology, called the Consensus Committee on the Future of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy. Fifteen medical organizations attended the meeting. The ASRT in July released a white paper outlining the initiative’s goals.
“Some of the goals from that initiative are to create actual work to raise awareness of all of our professions with the general public and younger students and to articulate our pathways throughout the profession,” Culp said. “It’s about raising awareness on what medical imaging and radiation therapy professionals are, so that students can continue that enrollment pipeline.”
The full survey results can be found here.