Document and Entity Information Document	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	May 13, 2012
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	Mar. 31, 2012
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		14,889,014
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes