Objective: Foreign medical graduates constitute an enlarging population of American radiologists. This study, an update of a previous investigation published in 1985, evaluates the sites of origin in India, the settlement choices and the motivating factors fostering immigration of a cohort of radiologists who have come to the United States since 1980. Subject and methods: Questionnaires were mailed to board-certified radiologists and pathologists who emigrated to the United States since 1980. Each group was asked to record their Indian birthplace and their present location in the United States. The radiologists were requested to list the factors which influenced their decision to emigrate and their choice of their present location. This information was compared with data derived from a previous investigation which surveyed an older cohort of Indian radiologists who entered the United States before 1980. Results: Questionnaires were returned by 90.5% of the radiologists and 61% of the pathologists. Gujarat was the home of 27% of the migrating radiologists, although it contains 5% of the Indian population. The larger state of Andhra Pradesh was a close second whereas all other provinces made much smaller contributions to the emigrant pool. Indian radiologists respond of the "pull factor" of enhanced economic opportunities in the United States to a greater extent than a lack of jobs at home. Compared with their older Indian colleagues, the younger emigrant radiologist favor the Sunbelt, as well as the New York-Philadelphia megalopolis. Andhra Pradeshis tend to live in warm climates, whereas Gujaratis still favor the Mid-Atlantic states. Conclusion: The influx of Indian radiologists to the United States has intensified in the 1980s, dominated by migrants from only two of the 25 Indian states. Collectively, representatives from Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh reveal divergent motivational factors influencing their decision to leave their native land and directing their choice of their present location in the United States.

Indian Settlement choices Gujarat Radiologists Andhra Pradesh Migrations

controlled study immigrant geographic distribution cohort analysis geographic origin questionnaire India medical education Article radiologist United States human