The Truth About Radiology You Didn’t Know Before

radiology

Radiology is the medical specialty responsible for imaging your body. There is an entire medical staff working in this field. For instance, there are radiologists, radiologic technologists, nurses, and more dedicated medical workers. Dr James Fleckenstein, a former Professor of Radiology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, believes that radiology is now an integral part of proper medical care.

Nowadays, radiology helps in diagnosing and treating various diseases. It is also a main element in observing the progress of treatment. Proper radiology can play a significant role in predicting the results of specific treatment methods or certain medical approaches. With modern technology involved, radiology is now an essential part of medical care.

The primary type of radiology

The X-ray is what introduced radiology to the whole world. This type of radiology allowed physicians to see beyond the external human body. Hence, X-rays helped doctors see bones and tissues from the inside. This way, doctors were able to diagnose bone problems, tissue enlargement or any other issue in the organ. All this can lead to improving your health and wellbeing.

Other types of imaging or radiology

It is true that X-rays are a very famous type of radiology imaging, but there are other important types as well. For instance, you can find fluoroscopy, CT scans, and MRI. These types allow health care providers to see images of blood vessels. Through imaging, doctors can view these vessels in a close way to discover the presence of clots or blocked arteries. Ignoring the imaging step can lead to misdiagnosing your symptoms.

Radiographers and radiologists’ roles

When it comes to the field of radiology, there are two major players: a radiologist and a radiographer. These two work together to provide the best results in radiology work. Here is what you need to know about them:

  • Radiologists

They are medical doctors with training in different types of radiology. Their main duty is to read and explain the content of any imaging test. They can perform different types of imaging scans such as sonographies, mammograms, PET scans, CT scans, and other types of x-ray tests. A radiologist alone can’t give you a final diagnosis. However, they are equipped to understand the findings of the scan and write a report on them.

In order to obtain a radiologist’s license, a doctor would need at least five years of radiology training. Their practical expertise must be less than 2 years of working experience in hospitals.

  • Radiographers

A radiographer or a radiologic technologist doesn’t interpret an image or write a report. They are responsible for executing the whole imaging process and dealing with the machine. Their duties also include helping patients all the way through an imaging session. For instance, they will explain everything you need to know about the process. They also help you take the best position on the imaging machine.

Both radiologists and radiographers work together in different medical facilities. You can find them in specialized radiology centers. They also work in private or public hospitals with radiology departments.

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