Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Nov. 06, 2011
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	PDI INC
Entity Central Index Key	0001054102
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Smaller Reporting Company
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2011
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2011
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		14,723,168
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes