By: Naomi Toubian
Radiologists are medical doctors that specialize in diagnosing and treating injuries/diseases using medical imaging (radiology) procedures such as X-rays, computed tomography (CT) scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), nuclear medicine, positron emission tomography (PET), and ultrasounds.
There are a vast amount of injuries and diseases where radiologists are needed to help heal a patient. Due to this, radiologists have been categorized into three different groups: diagnostic radiologists, interventional radiologists, and radiation oncologists.
A diagnostic radiologist is a physician/doctor who uses manifold imaging (“the process of making a visual representation of something by scanning it with a detector or electromagnetic beam”) methodologies to see inside of a patient's body and diagnose/manage the patient's condition. A diagnostic radiologist has a paramount role in every patients' health as they provide the patient with the correct tests. After performing and receiving the results of the previous exams, the physicians interpret and delineate the resulting images, recommend treatments, and carry out additional exams when appropriate. Diagnostic radiologists deal with a variety of different diseases which, in turn, causes each patient to have a unique case. A diagnostic radiologist may also subspecialize in the following subspecialties:
Breast imaging (mammograms)
Cardiovascular radiology (heart and circulatory system)
Chest radiology (heart and lungs)
Emergency radiology
Gastrointestinal radiology (stomach, intestines, and abdomen)
Genitourinary radiology (reproductive and urinary systems)
Head and neck radiology
Musculoskeletal radiology (muscles and skeleton)
Neuroradiology (brain and nervous system: head, neck, and spine)
Pediatric radiology (imaging of children)
Interventional radiology (IR) doctors diagnose and treat patients using medical imaging and minimally invasive procedures such as X-rays, fluoroscopy, MRI, CT scans, and ultrasound tests. These tests and procedures are used to treat and cure many different conditions such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, and uterine fibroids. When compared to traditional surgery, interventional radiology procedures have shown to be cheaper, less risky, less painful, and less invasive. These surgeries usually consist of very small incisions, made somewhere on the body of the patient (usually in the abdomen), followed by the interventional radiologist guiding an instrument (such as needles and/or catheters) through the patients’ blood vessels, arteries, and/or organs, via the incision, to reach the source of the patient’s problem and deliver targeted treatments.
Radiation oncologists are extensively trained to use radiation to treat diseases and manage any side effects caused by the radiation. They prescribe and oversee the patient's whole treatment, including the use of ionizing radiation (megavoltage X-rays and or radionuclides) and the side effects of the treatment to the patient. For each patient, the radiation oncologist creates a unique treatment. They also adjust the treatment, as needed, along the way, so that patients receive the appropriate, quality care. However, during the treatment of cancer, all three types of oncologists work together to help the patient have a speedy and trouble-free recovery. Diagnostic oncologists may also subspecialize in the following oncological subspecialties: Radiation oncology, Surgical oncology, Medical oncology, Interventional oncology, Gynecologic oncology, Pediatric oncology, Neuro-oncology, Hemato-oncology, and Uro-oncology.
To become a Radiologist, various diplomas and classes are required. First off, one needs to pursue a high school diploma, a two-year associate's degree, and a bachelor's degree program specifically for radiology. Before choosing the school you decide to attend, however, one should make sure that the school is properly accredited, has a JRCER (Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology), and that it offers financial aid due to the high expenses of secondary education. Lastly, one needs to make sure that the school offers the correct certification and licensing choices needed, keeping in mind that licensing is based on the state of practice as there is no national license available for radiology. Some of the most customary classes for undergraduate students going into radiology include physics, biology, chemistry, and math. The next step would be to complete and pass the MCAT test for the medical school application.
During the first two years in medical school, general biomedical science classes will most likely be taken. The final two years of medical school will be spent in rotation, learning about the many different hospital specialties. After medical school, one should complete a radiology residency to further learn and practice doctoring status. Next, one needs to obtain a license for the state in which they plan to work since it is different for every state. Then, one could apply to and complete a voluntary certification program through The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists, which can double as a license requirement in some states. After that, the process is complete and they are now, officially and legally, a Radiology Doctor.
As of February 2021, the top 4 colleges/universities with programs geared towards radiologists are as follows: #1: John Hopkins University, # 2: Harvard University, # 3: University of California - San Francisco, and #4: University of Pennsylvania (Perelman). Although this process can be overwhelming, remember that each college has its own benefits for attending, so all of them are good in their own ways! Becoming any type of doctor can be a very hard and difficult experience, but you must work hard to follow your dreams and do what you love. Therefore, if you are an aspiring radiologist or oncologist, your efforts will definitely pay off in the long term.
Citations:
“What Is a Radiologist? (n.d.). Retrieved January 05, 2021, from https://www.acr.org/Practice-Management-Quality-Informatics/Practice-Toolkit/Patient-Resources/About-Radiology”
Google Dictionary. (n.d.). Retrieved January 05, 2021, from https://www.google.com/search?client=safari%2Cimaging
“What Is a Radiologist? (n.d.). Retrieved January 05, 2021, from https://www.acr.org/Practice-Management-Quality-Informatics/Practice-Toolkit/Patient-Resources/About-Radiology”
“Hospice and Palliative Medicine, Neuroradiology, Nuclear Radiology, Pain Medicine, Pediatric Radiology.”
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