Radiologists are medical doctors who specialize in using X-rays and radioactive
substances to diagnose and treat illnesses.
As specialists, radiologists are usually called in to work on a patient's
case by general practitioners or other doctors. In addition to conducting
treatments, radiologists meet with patients before and after procedures to
discuss the treatment and track results.
They also spend a lot of time reading and analyzing test results and dealing
with paperwork.
There are a number of specialties within the field of radiology. These
include:
- Oncology -- the diagnosis and treatment of cancer
- Neuroradiology -- specializing in the brain and spinal cord
- Nuclear medicine -- the treatment of diseases using radioisotopes
- Ultrasonography -- using high-frequency sound waves to produce computerized
images
- Abdominal radiology -- focusing on the stomach and digestive system
According to experts, specialization is the key to advancing in this field.
"With radiologists specializing in particular processes, the quality of service
increases," says Dr. Harshad Patel. He is a radiologist in Virginia.
Radiology is one of the most technologically advanced fields in medicine,
so radiologists must keep up on new advances in equipment.
"Basically, 95 percent of what I do in my practice now wasn't available
when I went through my training 20 years ago," says Dr. Larry Muroff. He is
a radiologist and nuclear medicine specialist in Tampa, Florida.
The equipment that has become part of the radiologist's job is very sophisticated.
There are regular X-rays as well as many other procedures, such as:
- CAT Scans -- or computerized axial tomography, which combines X-ray radiation
with computers to produce 3D images of organs (this is especially useful for
examining the brain and for cancer diagnoses)
- MRI -- or magnetic resonance imaging, produces 3D images by using strong
electromagnetic fields instead of X-rays (this helps radiologists evaluate
injuries, tumors or changes in the chest, abdomen, pelvis, brain or spinal
cord after surgery)
- Ultrasound -- produces images using high-frequency sound waves (this technique
is most commonly used during pregnancy to look at the fetus)
Radiologists can be found working in clinics, hospitals and universities.
They treat patients and conduct research.
Like most physicians, radiologists usually work more than 40 hours a week.
They are expected to be available when they're on call. Radiologists in emergency
medicine especially need the ability to work long and odd hours when necessary.
Physical requirements for radiologists include good eyesight. Since they
are often exposed to low amounts of radioactivity in their work, radiologists
must undergo periodic testing themselves to make sure their exposure is within
safe limits.
The X-ray is over 100 years old. Experts say radiology has come a long
way since this discovery.
"It's a combination of two things," says Patel. "Manufacturers are making
new and improved equipment -- the technology has improved to tremendous levels
-- and physicians are doing more research in diverse areas."
Experts are predicting radiology will play an even bigger part in medicine
in the future.
"I think radiology has a tremendous appeal in health reform," says Muroff.
"We do a lot of things that benefit patients that are less risky, less intrusive
and less expensive than traditional methods."
Muroff says procedures that used to require surgery are now being done
in radiology departments on an outpatient basis.