ACR intersociety conference 2003: radiologist assistants and other radiologist extenders.

Improvements in imaging technologies are contributing to increases in the demand for radiology services. Efforts to match this rising demand are limited by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services cap on resident positions and the challenges in obtaining appropriate visas and medical licenses for international medical graduates. This rising gap in the demand for and capacity to deliver radiology services has created a need for radiologist extenders. A variety of roles have been developed for these radiologist extenders, depending on the skills of the individuals and the subspecialty areas in which they work. Prominent among these are radiologist assistants, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, dosimetrists, and advanced-practice nuclear medicine technologists. Quality patient care is best accomplished when radiologist extenders function under the guidance of qualified radiologists, nuclear physicians, or radiation oncologists.