Radiology & Radiological Science

Radiologists are medical doctors that specialize in diagnosing and treating injuries and diseases using medical imaging (radiology) procedures (exams/tests) such as X-rays, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), nuclear medicine, positron emission tomography (PET) and ultrasound. Radiologists complete at least 13 years of training, including medical school, a four-year residency, and most often, an additional one- or two-year fellowship of very specialized training, such as radiation oncology, pediatric radiology, or interventional radiology. They are certified by the American Board of Radiology, and they have exacting requirements for continuing medical education throughout their practicing years.

What is a radiologist?

What is a radiologist?

There are many types of specialized doctors in the world.  And, in those areas, we even can find more specialized yet.  For example, you might find a general surgeon that specialized in Cario or head injuries.  Our bodies are complex and so the people that care for the have to be as well. A radiologist is someone that has completed medical school but went on for further training.  They have their medical license and yet was interested in further their education to help others.  However, like surgeons, some go on to further specialize in

  • Breast images
  • Chest radiology
  • Cardiovascular radiology
  • Gastrointestinal radiology
  • Emergency radiology
  • Head and Neck radiology
  • genitourinary radiology
  • Neuroradiology
  • Musculoskeletal radiology
  • Interventional radiology
  • Pediatric radiology
  • Radiation Oncology
  • Nuclear Radiology

This is because each part of the body is very complex.  It is easier for someone that is specialized to spot a problem within that specific area.  Sure, some x-rays can be easily determined such as a broken femur or arm.  However, some radiology images are very complex and show the various parts of the brain and how they are functioning.  There are images that are taken and studied to determine the level of dementia and so on.  This is where specialized becomes important.

Oncology Radiologist

When we are using radiology to treat patients with Cancer, you probably will want a radiologist that specializes in this sort of thing.  The level of radiation, how many treatments a patient needs, and what type of cancer it is are important factors to consider.  All of this information is something that an oncologist radiologist will consider.

While they may be specialized according to the area of the body, they do all use the various radiology techniques that are designed to show them the key points of which they are trying to look at.  For example, they will utilize both ultrasound and CT scans on the same patient.  Perhaps they will start with the less aggressive testing to see what they find and if further testing is needed they will then recommend that to their primary care physician.

Radiologists work together with other doctors.

Radiologists work hand in hand with the other doctors involved in a medical case.  They are not surgeons and do not perform surgeries but help the other doctors find the problem and diagnose the patient.  They are very specialized in view the body through a set of images that are presented to them.  Many times they might not even meet the patient and could even be in another country at this point.  It is very common for medical centers to hire outside services to have the best radiologists available for their patients.  This allows them to read various images and give their personal recommendations in their area of expertise.  This has further improved how patients receive expert care that they need.

Because everything is digital, you can get a proper diagnosis quicker.  They have the right people on your team.  This is true for people that live in rural areas.  This has opened up how we do health care.  It has done nothing but increases our health care communities.

 

webmaster

Comments are closed.